Midland County Search & Rescue
MCSARWHEN A LOVED ONE IS MISSING, EVERY MINUTE COUNTS.
Who We Are
Midland County Search & Rescue (MCSAR) is an all-volunteer organization offering support, assistance and management when someone goes missing in Mid-Michigan. MCSAR is organized exclusively to safely locate, assist with stabilization and transporting missing persons of Midland County and surrounding communities on behalf of the office of the Sheriff of Midland County. All volunteer — no one gets a salary, there are no administrative fees, so 100% of any donations go directly to the mission and stay in the communities we serve.
What We Do
MCSAR provides relief, reassurance and hope to families who are dealing with a missing loved one. We use behavioral science to answer the question, “Where would this person go?” and follow the national command system to adapt to the changing needs on the scene. We are trained to know how to search, manage others who have less training, identify and request additional search resources, determine which areas have the greatest probability of success, track the areas that have been searched, and assess when it is necessary to end a search.
What should you do if someone has gone missing?
Contact 911 and report the missing person. Local law enforcement will begin the investigation and call in additional resources such as MCSAR if appropriate. You may reach out to MSCAR for guidance, but the team is deployed under the direction of the Midland County Sheriff.
Does the team search outside of Midland County?
Yes, MSCAR can deploy to searches around the state if approved by the Midland County Sheriff and enough team members are available at the time of the search.
What kind of dogs do you use?
MCSAR is a ground-based search team that uses people to complete loose grid, tight grid and tracks and trails searches. The team calls in canine teams from around the state as needed to support with area search, tracking and trailing and human remains detection (HRD). Aerial (drone and helicopter) and equine search teams may also be called in if appropriate and available.
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We are all volunteers
Join the Team
We need volunteers willing to train hard and be called out whenever someone goes missing. Physically fit, dedicated men and women over 18 who enjoy working hard and being outdoors. Must pass background check. Training is ongoing and challenging but the rewards of helping our community are great! We train twice a month and are called out as needed.
Qualification Requirements
- Fill out the application form: MCSAR Application / Background Check
- Pass a police background check
- Agree to the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
- Agree to rules and requirements as set forth by the BOD
- Become either an associate or probationary member
- Complete field support training requirements
- Attend at least 75% of all training exercises
- Be accepted by the board as a full member
Training Requirements
- Complete the FEMA Incident Command training system online within 4 months of joining MCSAR
- Be trained and proficient, at minimum, in Adult/Child/Infant CPR & Foreign Body Airway Obstruction and First Aid.
- Will accept training certs from KENT County and NASAR as sufficient to participate in MCSAR Searches. Other certs may be accepted at board discretion.
Participation Requirements
- Maintain clear status with Law Enforcement Agencies
- Be a minimum of 18 years of age for full membership
- Stay in physical shape to respond to incidents
- Dues may be required (though not currently)
Hug A Tree Program
Donations
Your donation can save lives. Donations provide funding for training and supplying the team. MCSAR is a 501(c)(3) organization. Thank you for your support.
How It Started
The organization was founded by John Hutcheson, Jay Anderson, Rich Harnois, Dirk Dagenais and Kevin Barnum after the group found that there was no applicable standard for search and rescue tactics in the region. Often counties that implemented other response efforts like Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) weren’t successful due to lack of standards and processes.
So Hutcheson, newly retired, set out to make a standard for Midland County. After extensive research and writing proposals, procedures and more over the course of three months, Hutchinson presented the proposal to Midland’s previous sheriff Jerry Neilsen – who accepted it and agreed to work with Hutcheson and his team.