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King County Search and Rescue briefs Woodinville council on volunteer program, training and funding needs
Summary
King County Search and Rescue Association leaders told the council the program fields hundreds of missions per year in the county, is largely volunteer‑funded, and seeks sustainable, community‑based funding and a permanent headquarters; local cases in Woodinville highlighted the group’s urban search role.
King County Search and Rescue leaders presented to Woodinville City Council on Sept. 16, describing the organization’s history, scale and volunteer model.
Carrie Lee Gagnon, executive director of the King County Search and Rescue Association, said SAR members completed 483 missions in King County from January 2021 through December 2024 (roughly 85% involving multiple units) and that the statewide total is about 900–1,000 missions annually. "We are 100% donor and grant funded," Gagnon said, and she described operational needs including training, gear, volunteer recruitment and a permanent headquarters for the nine member units.
Speakers from Explorer Search & Rescue, the canine unit and the 4x4 unit described training regimes and local mission experience. Explorer member Stephanie Dewar recounted a Mount Rainier mission and local responses; John Isant of the search dog unit explained scent‑work specialties and training timelines; Sarah Adeo described a multi‑day summer mission in Woodinville involving missing older adults and coordination with law enforcement.
Council members thanked the teams and asked about funding and partnership opportunities. Gagnon said the association is launching a "100 businesses that care" initiative to engage local businesses and is working on a legislative proposal that could create sustainable support while preserving volunteer choice.
