Red Rock Search And Rescue
About Red Rock Search And Rescue
Red Rock Search And Rescue exists for the moments when a family is waiting, a hiker is overdue, or local agencies need extra hands in the search. Its volunteers are trained to assist with search, rescue, recovery, and safety education across southern Nevada, from urban areas to desert, mountain, and wilderness terrain. Donors help support a team that also reaches people before an emergency happens, through outreach that teaches outdoor safety and prevention.
What sets Red Rock Search And Rescue apart is how much of its work happens through trained volunteers, from around-the-clock deployment to NASAR-aligned instruction and specialty response teams. It also stays present outside active searches, with public education that helps people hike more safely and understand what to do before a situation turns urgent.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Search and rescue operations
Deploys trained volunteers to assist local agencies in searching for missing or lost loved ones in urban, desert, mountain, and wilderness terrain.
Recovery services
Supports recovery efforts, including active and cold case searches and evidence searches in active police investigations.
Volunteer training and certification
Trains volunteers in all aspects of search and rescue, including NASAR-aligned instruction, CPR/AED/First Aid, Wilderness First Aid, ropes and knots, navigation, communications, tracking, leadership, and incident command.
Community outreach
Provides educational services to raise awareness of outdoor safety and preventative search and rescue techniques.
Hug-a-Tree
An outreach program that teaches children basic and vital survival principles.
Career Days
Classroom or mobile-unit presentations about search and rescue careers and the education and training involved.
Skills Training
Public classroom training that may include Wilderness First Aid, NASAR Funsar classes, sidewalk CPR, and tailored courses.
Preventative Search and Rescue
Trailhead outreach that helps hikers prepare for their hikes safely.
4x4 Team
Safely deploys and supports volunteers and equipment in areas regular vehicles cannot access.
Drone Team
Uses trained and licensed private drone pilots and small unmanned aircraft systems to search for individuals and terrain features.
Tracking Team
Specializes in locating missing persons through footprints, ground disturbances, and other environmental clues.
Mountain/Urban Bike Team
Helps cover ground quickly in urban and non-urban environments and supports search objectives assigned by incident command.
People Support Team
Serves as family liaison on missions and provides emotional and practical care for families of the missing.
K-9 Team
Provides experienced, trained, and certified handlers and K-9s with trailing, tracking, and human remains detection skills.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
The mission of Red Rock Search and Rescue is to utilize trained volunteers to provide search, rescue, training, recovery, and educational services to the community.
Who they serve
Families of missing or lost loved ones in southern Nevada, along with local agencies, hikers, and community members who need search, rescue, recovery, or safety education support.
Their impact
- The team averages approximately 26,000 hours a year assisting local agencies.
- On April 14, 2013, the team found Keith Goldberg’s remains after a search that began in 2012.
How your donation helps
- Search operations
- Volunteer training
- Team equipment and gear
- Medical supplies
- Insurance and licenses
- Fuel for generators and the command post
- Community outreach
- Training facility and related operations costs
Our story
Red Rock Search And Rescue began in January 2012, after local hiker Ron Kirk went missing in Calico Basin and a community search continued for weeks. Experienced search and rescue volunteers came together to form a team, and a donation from Ron Kirk’s family helped launch Red Rock Search and Rescue so the searching could continue after local resources had run out. Soon after, the team was called into the Keith Goldberg search, and on April 14, 2013, it found his remains.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Red Rock Search And Rescue’s services.
For a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1 for Police, Fire, or Medical assistance. Call the 24/7 emergency hotline at 702-758-4727 if an elderly loved one has wandered away from home, a family member or friend is overdue from a hike, or you hear someone calling or signaling for help while on a hike.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
"So others may live"
"RRSAR is a Godsend."
"They are so helpful and very kind!"
"Your organization has been helpful when others were not."
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Red Rock Search And Rescue has shared.
Volunteer opportunities
- Field Team SarTech II
- Command Post SarTech III
- Resource Team Member
- 4x4 Team
- Drone Team
- Tracking Team
- Mountain/Urban Bike Team
- People Support Team
- K-9 Team
- Community outreach presentations and trailhead outreach
Recognition & press
Awards & recognition
- Formally honored by Carolyn Goodman, Mayor of Las Vegas, on April 17, 2013.
Partners & funders
In the news
Articles featuring Red Rock Search And Rescue from the Love What You Fund newsroom.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
When should someone call the emergency hotline?
Call if an elderly loved one has wandered away from home, if someone is overdue after a hike, or if you hear someone calling or signaling for help on a trail.
What kinds of missions does the team support?
The team supports search, rescue, recovery, training, and educational services. That includes urban and wilderness searches, active and cold case searches, and evidence searches in active police investigations with local agency approval.
What training do volunteers receive?
Volunteers train to NASAR standards and may receive instruction in CPR/AED/First Aid, Wilderness First Aid, ropes and knots, map and compass, land navigation, communications, tracking, scene safety, leadership, incident command, and missing persons behavior.
What public education programs are offered?
Public education can include Hug-a-Tree, Career Days, Skills Training, and Preventative Search and Rescue trailhead outreach.