Dorset Search and Rescue

Dorset Search and Rescue (DorSAR) is a voluntary organisation who work with the Police, Coastguard & other emergency services in the Search & Recovery of Missing Persons, Search & Recovery of Significant Objects and Support at Major Incidents.

DorSAR was formed in 2004 and has many members available to deploy anywhere in the County to assist in incidents and searches.

DorSAR's services are called upon by the Police and are able to offer considerable resources to support the county's emergency services in time of crisis. DorSAR's resources inclclude over 50 specialised search & rescue personnel, a comprehensively equipped command & control vehicle, plus a number of 4x4 member owned & operated vehicles.

DorSAR are also often called to help with incidents by neighbouring teams.

Search Teams are multi-disciplinary, each Team is led by a qualified Team Leader and will normally consist of a Medic, Navigator and Radio operator as well as other specialist roles (e.g. Tracker) all of these will also be qualified Search Technicians as will the remainder of the Team. In addition DorSAR has a number of Specialist Trained operational members available for rapid formation into specialist Teams as required (e.g. Tracking, Swiftwater Rescue). Teams are tasked, deployed and controlled by DorSAR's Search Management Team from their Command and Control Vehicle, this Team will be made up of Search Manager, PolSA (Dorset Police), Search Coordinator, Control Communications, Control Navigator & Control Support, again the team composition will vary depending on tasking.

DorSAR also have a PR Team to both raise awareness and generate funding.

DorSAR's Operations Management Team focus on ensuring the operational readiness of DorSAR with dedicated roles supporting Training, Equipment, Development and each of their identified Competencies, actively involving over 15 members in the day to day and medium term management of DorSAR.

DorSAR is a registered charity and does not receive any government funding, therefore the team rely on donations & sponsorship from the local community & business. DorSAR also have the patronage of Mr William Gronow Davis, who owns the Rushmore Estate in the north of the county.

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