When someone goes missing, it is a group of volunteers who are called in to bring your loved one home safely. Since 1977, The Thurston County Washington Explorer Search and Rescue (TCWESAR) has worked in cooperation with the Thurston County Sheriff’s office to search for missing persons in both rural and urban settings, as well as help with flood control, recovery missions and evidence searchers. Recently, their explementary work was recognized when they were selected as a finalist for the 2024 Defender Service Awards presented by CHASE Bank and Land Rover in the Search, Rescue and Emergency Support Services category.
“The awards showcase the British adventure brand’s longstanding commitment to aiding and honoring organizations who serve their communities,” explains a press release from Defender. “Each of the 25 U.S. non-profit and Canadian registered charities across five categories reflect the Defender brand’s enduring commitment to bringing positive impact to communities through acts of service and humanitarian efforts around the world.”
To be considered a finalist, TCWESAR created a video entry and competed against hundreds of nonprofits in the United States and Canada. “Thurston County Washington Explorer Search and Rescue member and videographer Noah Kalb, organized, filmed and edited our video application,” shares Kim Lee, grant writer for Thurston County Washington Explorer Search and Rescue. “The video, narrated by TCWESAR President Marcelle Allen, highlights the important work we do.”
Each finalist was awarded $5,000. Lee says the group’s board and membership will decide how to use the funds. “New helmets are one possibility,” she adds.
While they did not win the overall grand prize, our nonprofit is certainly a winner to the countless lives they have saved over the decades. And to every family that gets the call that their loved one has been found safe.
Thurston County Nonprofit Conducts Life-Saving Search and Rescue
It’s incredible to think that the people spending countless hours searching at all hours, in all weather, are not paid. They do it because they love the community and want to help people. Thurston County Washington Explorer Search and Rescue has roughly 60 volunteers, currently, but they say it fluctuates from 53 to 67 as they get new recruits and others retire or move away.
In 2023, these dedicated volunteers spent 6,001 hours on missions, training and administrative tasks like meetings and fundraising. Altogether they traveled 17,923 miles. They had 18 callout missions in five counties including Thurston County, totaling 426.64 hours and 3,3336 miles. 7 of those missions were what they call “turnarounds” where the person was located before teams were deployed to the field.
“Our missions have included instances where the missing person is experiencing a memory condition that contributes to leaving home unexpectedly and not returning, also termed ‘elopement,’” Lee says. She goes on to share one mission with us:
“Earlier this year, TCWESAR responded to an out-of-county search for a subject experiencing Alzheimer’s. The subject was missing overnight unsheltered with several canine companions. Six TCWESAR members along with searchers from Mason County SAR, South Puget Sound K9 and German Shepherd SAR, and concerned community members endured harsh weather to search the woods, nearby structures, and shoreline. Together we were able to cover a wide area and successfully locate the hypothermic subject and his dogs. As the missing person was reunited with their family and received medical care, we also provided pats, treats, and warm towels to the wet, weary, loyal canines.”
Speaking of dogs, some volunteers with TCWESAR cross-train as dog handlers with canine search and rescue groups, adding the incredibly powerful dog nose to their assets when searching for a subject.
How to Join Thurston County Washington Explorer Search and Rescue
Of course, they are always looking for folks who want to join their group. Training begins in September of each year and runs through April. Training consists of classroom and fieldwork in the evenings and weekends.
“Volunteers do not have to have special skills, but they should be able to consistently attend the eight-month training program to learn search techniques and clue detection; compass navigation; map reading; outdoor survival; radio communication; and wilderness first aid skills,” explains Lee. “In general, to receive an Emergency Worker card and begin training to be a certified ground searcher, volunteers must pass a background check (Thurston County Sheriff) and be at least 14 years of age.”
Current members also attend training as needed to refresh and learn new skills and best practices. They often have guest speakers from other organizations presenting new information. For example, Kyle Sanchez and Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging staff taught members about effective communication, engagement, and emergency response for older adults with memory and cognitive conditions.
Being a nonprofit, Thurston County Washington Explorer Search and Rescue relies on private donations, matching funds from employers of volunteers and their annual fundraising events. Currently, they are saving up for a replacement field vehicle. Donations can be made on the TCWESAR website.
“We are grateful for the support of so many amazing Thurston County organizations and businesses including the Capital City Marathon, Community Foundation of Thurston County, Nisqually Tribe, Olympia Orthopaedic Associates, and the Squaxin Tribe,” says Lee. “These and other community partners have provided grant funding for essential training, logistic equipment, and medical supplies.”
For more information, visit the Thurston County Washington Explorer Search and Rescue website.
