Utah Search and Rescue Financial Assistance Program
The Utah Search and Rescue Financial Assistance Program provides reimbursement to sheriff’s search and rescue teams for operations, training and equipment purchases. The Utah Division of Emergency Management supports the Search and Rescue Advisory Board in administering this program.
Utah Search and Rescue Assistance (USARA) Card
The USARA card allows backcountry recreationists to contribute to search and rescue efforts. It is available to purchase at Rescue.Utah.gov
The revenue from the USARA card goes directly to reimbursing search and rescue teams.
| Year | USARA Cards Sold | USARA Generated Revenue |
| 2021 | 139 | $7,242.50 |
| 2020 | 349 | $19,304 |
| 2019 | 365 | $19,791 |
| 2018 | 378 | $20,002.50 |
| 2017 | 701 | $47,561 |
| Total to Date | 1,932 | $113,901 |
Meetings & Notices
Upcoming Meeting:
Friday, June 4, 2021
Fish Lake Lodge, Sevier County
Forms & Reports
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.
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 Sheriff’s 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.