As search and rescue calls increase nationwide, Spokane County is reporting normal numbers

During the global pandemic, outdoor recreation of all kinds has increased – and with it the demand for rescue.

In early April, the New York Times published a story documenting increased search and rescue calls. The story followed a search and rescue organization in Wyoming that received a spate of calls during the global pandemic.

Spokane County has not seen such an increase, according to the county search and rescue coordinator.

“Although there has been an increase in outdoor activities in Spokane County, we were lucky and did not see an increase in SAR requests,” Deputy Search and Rescue Coordinator Thad Schultz said in an email.

Schultz said the county’s search and rescue team responded to two calls for outdoor activities in 2020 and two in 2021.

“It is safe to say that we will remain consistent,” he said. “And we haven’t seen any increase in service calls.”

The Kootenai County’s voluntary search and rescue program did not respond to requests for comment.

Spokane and Kootenai counties search and rescue programs are run by the county sheriff’s departments and rely on volunteers, as are most American search and rescue organizations.

The majority of American search and rescue operations do not charge their services. Under Idaho law, search and rescue costs can only be charged if the rescued person “knowingly enters an area that has been closed to the public for whatever reason” by the appropriate agency.

Washington also does not charge search and rescue fees.

At least six states, including Oregon, may charge search and rescue operations if they believe the rescued person has acted negligently.

For the most part, national parks and other federal land administrators do not charge any fees for search and rescue costs.