Frequently Asked Questions

No. Only proper authorities can determine that our services are needed. Anyone needing services should call or text 911. 

Aroostook SAR is a nonprofit organization that provides search and rescue services to Aroostook County Maine.

There are many ways to get involved with Aroostook SAR such as volunteering, making a donation,. Please visit our website for more information.

Aroostook SAR serves to support the Maine Warden Service with searches for lost or missing persons and providing rescue assistance to bring persons to safety from wilderness environments. .

Searchers must be adults at least 18 years old. There is no maximum age. Physical fitness standards have age adjusted criteria for all ages. 

To be a searcher, you must attend a minimum of 6 trainings per year. We understand everyone is a volunteer and has busy lives and will not be available all the time. However, teams must train together to work well together. If you have concerns about training, please contact the team training officer. 

Yes and no. You can talk about things you do such as generically search woods for a missing person or helped an injured hiker without specifics beyond what is public. You cannot discuss information you would not know if you were not part of the team such as names, medical information, family situations, conversations, etc. You should never speak to the media. All media inquires should be directed to the Maine Warden Service Communications Director. Privacy is an important component both for the dignity of the survivor or victim and their family as well as protecting the integrity of any related investigation. 

Members of the media/press should contact the Maine Warden Service Communications Director. https://www.maine.gov/ifw/news-events/media.html

No. Depending on your experience and background, you may be able to demonstrate some skills without attending the classroom training but the training officer still has to independently validate you have demonstrated skill proficiency. Also, you need to train with the rest of the team to build the skills of the team and continue to build on and improve your skills. 

The average timeline to complete all training and have it verified by the training officer is 6 months. 

No. Searchers are volunteers and we understand they have many other commitments in the community. We encourage you to respond to as many as you are able. This is why we try to build a large team understanding that not everyone will be available all the time. A large team helps ensure that some members will be able to meet the needs when they occur even if all are not able to respond.

While we have no way to gurantee this, we estimate based on previous years incidents that this would be 3-5 locally. Once individuals are certified, they may also decide to respond to state-wide requests in addition to local requests.