Klamath County to host regional search-and-rescue training; commissioners give approval to plan and seek $50,000 reserve

Klamath County officials on Jan. 21 signaled support for the county to host CORSTAR’s regional Search and Rescue training event, SummerEx, in 2026 and discussed setting aside up to $50,000 to cover upfront costs.

The move came after Patrol Sgt. Daniel Towery, who identified himself as the Klamath County Search and Rescue (SAR) coordinator, described CORSTAR (California–Oregon Search and Rescue), the multi-county mutual aid consortium that runs multi-day, advanced trainings for volunteer and agency SAR teams. “We train together as a CORSTAR unit,” Towery said. “That way, when we are called to assist on one of these or they’re called here to assist, we’re not meeting these people for the first time.”

The training, Towery said, focuses on advanced skills such as ropes, wilderness movement, wilderness CPR and first aid, and large multi-agency search management. He described SummerEx as a four-day event with two days devoted primarily to advanced hands-on training and said hosting rotates among member counties.

Towery said Jackson County’s recent packet showed roughly $67,000 in event costs, but he believes Klamath County could host for less. Towery asked the board to earmark $50,000 so staff would not have to return repeatedly to request individual expenditures for deposits, tent rental or site fees. “The reason why we ask for 50 is just so that we have that money so I don't have to come every time with hat in hand asking for a new expenditure,” he said.

Monica, who identified herself as the sheriff’s office budget manager, told commissioners the SAR materials-and-services budget remains largely intact with about 60% remaining and that underspent funds roll to the next year. She said some equipment sold at auction helped create a reserve and that the office could place the requested funds in a reserve or “reserved for future expenditures” line. “If we just take that and move it to a new item line … we can make that deposit without having to come each and every time to you,” she said.

Commissioners discussed using county-owned Spence Mountain as the primary site to avoid rental fees, and the possibility of holding more technical rope training offsite if required. Commissioner comments emphasized the reputational and operational value of hosting: “It is our turn,” one commissioner said, arguing that hosting would strengthen interagency relationships and improve mission readiness. Another commissioner noted potential reimbursement paths, including billing the other CORSTAR counties (Towery said member counties previously billed roughly $23,000 from peers, and Klamath’s share of past events had been around $2,000–$3,000) and exploring Title 3 federal reimbursement when training occurs on federal lands.

Towery also described ancillary benefits: vendor sponsorships at past SummerEx events, use of specialized equipment such as the county’s side-scan sonar boat (which was deployed to assist Douglas County on a drowning response), and local economic activity from visiting SAR professionals. Towery referenced a recent multi-county search for a missing mushroom hunter that required assets from seven counties, saying those operations illustrated the need for shared training and interoperability.

The board gave verbal approval for staff to proceed with planning and budgeting and encouraged pursuit of sponsor support and reimbursement opportunities. No formal appropriation was recorded at the meeting; commissioners asked staff to manage the budget placement (reserve vs. operating contingency) and to return as needed if a formal transfer or appropriation becomes necessary.

Next steps include staff identifying a site, finalizing a budget line (reserve or contingency), pursuing sponsorships and Title 3 reimbursement where applicable, and working with CORSTAR member counties on cost-sharing. Towery said he will continue coordination with Jackson and Lake counties and vendors to refine the estimate and logistics.