complete volunteer application here.
complete volunteer application here.
Kootenai County Mountain Rescue (KCMR) is a specialized team under the Kootenai County Volunteer Search and Rescue umbrella, committed to providing expert assistance in the most demanding mountain terrain and situations, ensuring the safety and well-being of outdoor enthusiasts in our community.
Most of KCMR’s members live and work in Kootenai and Shoshone County, and come to the unit with a diverse set of skills and experience extremely useful to the unit’s mission.
For example, our members are climbers, EMTs, ski patrollers, backcountry skiers, avalanche forecasters, avid snowmobilers, and experienced search and rescue volunteers.
KCMR achieved full accreditation from the Mountain Rescue Association in 2024 after demonstrating proficiency in organized avalanche rescue, high and low angle rock technical rope rescue, and general search in mountainous terrain. This accreditation by an independent national organization ensures this team of dedicated volunteers are ready to respond to the most challenging and remote mountain emergencies year around.
Since KCMR is a specialized sub-team, its members are by definition and practice part of Kootenai County Volunteer Search and Rescue, participating in the unit’s searches where they can readily apply their technical rope and avalanche skills when needed. Occasionally the Kootenai County Sheriff Office deploys only resources with specialized skills, for example sometimes only the K9 unit is needed, or just the drone team is needed, and sometimes the terrain is sufficiently difficult that only KCMR members are deployed. Whatever the terrain, KCMR members participate in most search and rescue operations of Kootenai County Volunteer Search and Rescue.
The primary goals of the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office Volunteer SAR team are centered around safety, efficiency, and community service.