2026 SEARCH AND RESCUE TRAINING ACADEMY ANNOUNCED
The Linn County Sheriff Sheriff’s Office is recruiting young men and women, ages 14 to 18, to join the Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team and participate in the summer training program.
This will be the 32nd Search and Rescue Training Academy in Linn County and will be held June 19 through June 27.
Those who are interested in becoming an integral part of the Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue mission should have an interest in community service and a desire to be a part of a highly trained and professional life saving organization. The life skills and mentorship by our staff has been an invaluable experience for past SAR members. Many have continued to become full-time employees with LCSO!
The application process includes oral board interviews, a background check, and a physical aptitude test. Applicants must attend ONE recruit meeting at the Sheriff’s Office on March 2, April 6, or May 13 at 7:00 PM. Additionally, recruits are required to complete an online First Aid and CPR training course provided by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office by June 6th and attend an in-person CPR/First Aid skills class on Saturday, June 13th. On the same day, applicants will participate in a final review and preparation for the academy and must bring all their academy equipment to the CPR/First Aid training for a final equipment check. The SAR academy will provide comprehensive training, including wilderness survival, shelter building, search tactics, first aid/CPR, map and compass navigation, rappelling, and many other essential skills.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
This program is designed to train youth who are capable of participating in real-world SAR missions. Because SAR team mobilization is time-sensitive, participants must be able to arrive at one of the designated pickup locations listed below within 30 minutes of a callout. Applicants who live outside of Linn County and who do not meet this requirement will be notified that they will not be moving forward in the process. Any applicant living within Linn County will be deemed to have met this requirement.
Pick Up Locations:
- 1115 Jackson St SE, Albany, OR 97322
- 2590 S Main Rd, Lebanon, OR 97355
- 621 Main St, Sweet Home, OR 97386
RECRUIT MEETINGS (Must attend one of the first three meetings)
Applicants are STRONGLY encouraged to fill out the online application prior to attending a recruit meeting.
Monday, March 2 at 7:00 pm
Monday, April 6 at 7:00 pm
Wednesday, May 13 at 7:00 pm
PHYSICAL APTITUDE TEST (Must attend at least one)
Depart the Sheriff’s Office promptly at 0800 hours. Return at approximately 1300 hours.
Equipment: Recruits will need to wear clothes for the weather and comfortable boots (bring a water bottle). Lunch is provided.
Saturday May 16th
Saturday May 23rd
MANDATORY FIRST AID, BLOODBORNE PATHOGEN, FINAL EQUIPMENT TEST, AND BLS CPR COURSE-SKILLS DAY
The online portion must be completed prior to the Skills Day.
Skills Day- Saturday, June 13th 8:00 am- 4:00 pm.
Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Albany
2026 SEARCH AND RESCUE TRAINING ACADEMY
After completing all required elements of the application process, recruits will be notified by one of the Search and Rescue Team Leaders if they have been selected to attend the SAR Training Academy. The dates of the Academy are not negotiable, and attendance is required.
Equipment: See the available equipment list provided with the application or request a list from a Team Leader at one of the recruit meetings.
Academy dates: June 19 through June 27, 2026
APPLY NOW!
What is SAR?
First and foremost, a life-saving unit, Search and Rescue (SAR) has evolved into much more. It is the premier mentoring program in Linn County, serving countless teens in its more than 30 years of operation. The youth of SAR work shoulder to shoulder with the deputies of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office. In fact, many of the adult leaders of SAR are full time Linn County Sheriff’s Office deputies.
Since records have been kept, beginning in 1990, the young men and women of Linn County Sheriff’s SAR have dedicated over 100,000 man hours to the citizens of Linn County. Alumni of our program have gone into careers in law enforcement, computer programming, architecture, business, nuclear physics, and have become members of the armed forces.
Linn County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue is an all-volunteer program with staff supervision and leadership. We are extremely proud of the young people in our program. They are the future of our communities.
SAR TECH
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office also has SAR volunteer opportunities available for adults. Click here to learn more about our SAR Tech program!