Get Involved
There are many ways to support MOCSAR – whether you’re ready to serve in the field, support operations behind the scenes, or help strengthen our mission through community involvement.
Volunteer Overview
The greatest resources available to the Montgomery County Search & Rescue Team are our people. Our volunteers are the heartbeat of everything we do. We are united by a single, powerful thread: the selfless desire to help others during their darkest hours. Our team is dedicated to the professional search and rescue of missing or lost persons, a commitment that begins long before the first call-out.
Search and Rescue is more than a volunteer role; it is a commitment to our community’s toughest moments. Every successful “all clear” is the result of rigorous training and meticulous planning.
From coordinating resources to managing critical communications, we need dedicated individuals to step up and lend a hand. Our resources and communications ensure our field teams have what they need to bring loved ones home.
When you join MOCSAR you aren’t just volunteering – you are joining a mission-driven team built on service, elite training, and unwavering mutual support. Find your place in our family. We invite you to attend one of our monthly meetings to learn how your unique skills can support our next mission. Please contact us with any questions you might have.
Ways to Get Involved
Search & Rescue
For those ready to serve in the field. Our call-out team members respond 24/7 to assist law enforcement, applying specialized skills, teamwork, and dedication to locate missing and endangered individuals.
What to expect:
- Ongoing training and certifications
- Physical activity in varied terrain and conditions
- Call-outs at all hours, including nights and weekends
- A strong commitment to teamwork and professionalism
Supporting Roles
Make an impact behind the scenes. Our support volunteers lead community outreach and fundraising while also helping to keep operations running smoothly before, during, and after search & rescue missions.
What to expect:
- Logistics and equipment support
- Communications and documentation
- Fundraising and community engagement
- Administrative assistance
Basic membership requirements for all roles include:
- Background check
- Required training and certifications
- Minimum participation standards
- Commitment to safety, teamwork and professionalism
How to Become a Member
Joining our team happens in a few simple phases. We designed this process to help you get to know us as an organization while making sure you’re prepared and supported along the way.
Step 1 – Get Started
Complete Your Application
Download and complete the required forms:
- New Member Application
- Background Check Authorization
- Liability Waiver
- Confidential Medical Health Form
You may email your completed forms to us or bring them with you to your first meeting.
Attend Your First Meeting
Your first meeting is a chance to meet the team and learn how we operate. At this meeting:
- Submit your paperwork (if you haven’t previously emailed it to us)
- Pay the non-refundable $25 application fee
Step 2 – Learn and Participate
Attend Additional Meetings
Attend at least two additional monthly meetings (three total including your first) within a 12-month period.
Complete Required Training
All applicants must complete the free FEMA ICS-100 course:
- Create a FEMA student account and obtain a student ID number
- Take the ICS-100 course online
- Provide your completion certificate to us by email or at a meeting
Background Check
All applicants must pass a background check.
Step 3 – Become a Member
Membership Vote
Once all requirements are completed, your application will be presented to the membership for a formal induction vote. This occurs at the third meeting you attend.
After approval, you’ll officially become part of the team and we will go over additional information with you at that time. Welcome aboard!
*Step 4 – Physical Evaluation
Requirements for call-outs
To be approved for call-outs, members must complete a physical evaluation demonstrating the ability to walk 3 miles in under 60 minutes.
This requirement helps ensure everyone is prepared for the physical demands of search and rescue operations. Evaluations are offered periodically throughout the year.