About BCSAR


The Butte County Search and Rescue Team (BCSAR) is an all-volunteer, non-profit, non-tax-supported, auxiliary unit of the Butte County Sheriff's Office. Its primary purpose is to provide skilled search and technical rescue services to the residents and visitors of Butte County, California. Due to the varied and often rugged terrain of the County, the Search and Rescue team plays a crucial role in locating and rescuing lost or endangered persons.

Team members are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They come from a variety of backgrounds, and they take time away from jobs, school, and family to provide both search and rescue services for Butte County in water, on land, or from the air. As a mutual-aid response agency, the team will also respond anywhere in the State if requested. 

BCSAR is a member of the 5-agency-strong Butte Interagency Rescue Group (BIRG), which is comprised of Search and Rescue along with the four in-county fire agencies (CAL FIRE/Butte County Fire, Oroville Fire, Chico Fire, Paradise Fire). BIRG teams trains together and respond as a group to all technical rescues in the county, providing the fastest, most experienced and equipped response possible to those in need. BIRG specializes in Air Operations, Confined Space, Over-the-Edge Rescue, Dynamic and Static Water Rescue and Recovery, and Urban Disaster.   

Do you have what it takes to be a member of Butte County Search and Rescue? We are always looking for new volunteers that show interest, initiative, commitment and a willingness to learn. See our membership page for information on how to join. Our team, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is funded exclusively by donations, fund raisers, and grants from the community. If you want to help out monetarily, please have a look at our donation page.