Search & Rescue (SAR) is one of the most critical missions performed by State Defense Forces across the country. During natural disasters, large-scale emergencies, and missing persons operations, SAR units provide Governors and state emergency managers with a highly capable force trained to operate in the most demanding environments. From dense urban areas and flooded neighborhoods to rugged woodlands, deserts, and even arctic conditions, these specialized troops are prepared to reach Americans when conventional access is limited or impossible.
State Defense Force SAR personnel are not only trained to locate and recover individuals in distress, but also to provide immediate lifesaving care at the point of contact. Many are qualified in advanced casualty stabilization, patient packaging, and litter carry techniques, allowing them to safely evacuate injured victims across rough terrain and severe weather conditions to casualty collection points for onward transport to medical facilities. This capability often proves decisive in the critical hours following disasters, when time and access mean the difference between life and death.
In addition to state declared emergencies, State Defense Force Search & Rescue units are utilized during non-emergency operations in support of local and state agencies. These missions often include assisting law enforcement, emergency management, and first responders in locating missing or stranded persons, particularly in rural, mountainous, or otherwise hard-to-access areas where specialized SAR skills are required.
Some of the most highly trained Search & Rescue units in the nation can be found within State Defense Forces such as the Texas State Guard, Georgia State Defense Force, and several others, where troops routinely undergo demanding training that is both physically and mentally rigorous. These programs frequently align with nationally recognized certification standards through organizations like the National Association for Search and Rescue, ensuring professionalism, interoperability, and operational readiness alongside local, state, and federal partners.
In this week’s poll, we want to ask you:
How often is your State Defense Force Search & Rescue unit utilized during state emergencies, natural disasters, or missing persons missions?
Please base your vote on firsthand knowledge if you serve on a SAR team or in a leadership role with direct awareness of SAR utilization, rather than on secondhand information or rumors.
- Activated and used for natural disasters, statewide emergencies, and missing persons missions
- Activated only for statewide emergencies and natural disasters
- Limited usage, primarily for missing persons missions
- SAR capability exists but is rarely utilized
- Never activated for any types of missions
