Search and Rescue Financial Assistance Program
GOOD NEWS! The Utah Search and Rescue Assistance (USARA) card is now available to purchase. Please visit Rescue.Utah.gov for more information.
Meetings & Notices
Upcoming Meeting:
Thursday, December 3, 2020 at 11:00 am
State Emergency Operations Center, Salt Lake City
Search and Rescue Reimbursement Form
(download, fill out, save & send)
Search and Rescue Annual Reports
Each year, the Utah Search and Rescue Advisory Board publishes an annual report detailing the numbers of reported rescues, amounts reimbursed to local sheriff’s offices, reported search and rescue hours worked and much more. Please click on the links below to download the annual reports.
For agendas and minutes click here
About us:
In 1997, the State of Utah established the Search and Rescue Financial Assistance Program. Under Utah Code, the Division of Emergency Management (DEM) will manage the program with the approval of the Search and Rescue Advisory Board. The purpose of the Search and Rescue Financial Assistance Program is to fund counties, on a reimbursement basis, those eligible expenses incurred during searches. It also provides some financial assistance for training and replacement of equipment damaged on searches. This fund is financed by surcharges from recreational vehicle permits, hunting and fishing licenses, and soon, the Utah Search and Rescue Assistance (USARA) card.
The Search and Rescue Advisory Board administers the Search and Rescue Financial Assistance Program. It consists of seven members: two Utah Search and Rescue Association representatives, three Utah Sheriff’s Association representatives, one DEM representative (designated by the director), and one private citizen. They meet on a quarterly basis to review reimbursement submissions from the counties. All searches are logged into a database maintained by DEM. Statistical and financial data are used to compile annual reports to support the program.