LRSAR volunteers are essential partners to the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department, assisting in critical operations to support public safety in the backcountry.

1. SEARCHES
   When an individual is reported missing or lost, LRSAR is called upon to conduct coordinated search efforts to locate and bring them home.
   • Hasty Searches: Rapid search techniques used to quickly cover high probability areas like trails, drainages, or well-traveled routes.
   • Line Searching: A systematic method where searchers form a line and move through an area, often in dense brush, to ensure no ground is overlooked.

   Searches typically require as many people as possible and can last 12-18 hours, sometimes running for multiple days. Members are welcome to join for one or more days as their schedule allows.

2. RESCUES
   If individuals are injured or experience a medical emergency on a hiking trail or in the backcountry and cannot self-rescue, we hike to their location, provide necessary first aid, and assist in carrying them out to safety.

   Most missions involve carrying an injured individual on a litter (stretcher) down challenging terrain to a trailhead.

   These missions commonly take from 4 to 12 hours and require a minimum of 12-18 rescuers.

3. RECOVERY
   On the tragic occasions where there is a fatality in the backcountry, we are sometimes called to assist in the respectful recovery and transport of the deceased. This can be emotionally and psychologically difficult, and our members clearly understand that they can elect to not participate in a recovery event at any time.

We are seeking individuals who can respond to callouts on a regular basis.

Essential Characteristics

• A Resilient Hiker: This means demonstrating adaptability, problem-solving, endurance, and a positive mindset to overcome unexpected obstacles like bad weather or physical fatigue. Search and rescue is a marathon, not a sprint.
• Available to Respond: Can frequently "drop everything" to respond to calls whenever New Hampshire Fish & Game needs help; day or night, weekday or weekend. More responders allow us to deploy teams more quickly and effectively.
• Competent Wilderness Navigator: Capable of navigating on and off-trail while keeping themselves safe in a wilderness environment, day or night, regardless of weather conditions.
• Physically Capable: Able to hike for many miles over rough terrain in varied weather conditions while carrying a heavy load.

LRSAR members must be capable of operating anytime, day or night, and in all weather conditions. We require members to be self-sufficient and prepared for an unplanned overnight stay, operating unsupported for up to 24 hours.

Gear Requirements:

• Pack Size
  Typically 30-50 liters, with exterior attachment points. Approximately ⅓ of your pack should remain available to carry team gear should it be necessary.
• Pack Weight
  Expect your pack to weigh between 20 and 30 pounds (9kg-13kg), depending on the mission.
• Requirement
  Maintain an adequate selection of high quality gear and clothing systems for all missions and conditions. A detailed list of what should be carried in your SAR backpack is provided after successfully completing the qualification hike and being invited to join the team. Volunteers are required to obtain the needed gear at their own expense.

To Be Considered for Team Membership, you must:

Have a full-time residence in one of the primary communities listed below, or a town sharing a border with one of them:

Primary Towns:

• Be at least 18 years of age;
• Complete the online application;
• Agree to a background check; if requested
• Have experience hiking, particularly in the White Mountains and the 4,000ft peaks in New England.
• Have experience hiking in all types of weather conditions and at night.
• Be a resilient hiker that functions well in a team environment. What do we mean by this? We seek individuals demonstrating qualities like adaptability, problem-solving, endurance, and a positive mindset to overcome unexpected obstacles like bad weather or physical fatigue. Don’t worry if you aren’t the fastest hiker. Carrying a patient or searching the wilderness is slow work which makes our missions more of a marathon than a sprint.
• Successfully complete all qualification, orientation and new member training requirements. Dates for these are posted well in advance on the website.

To Maintain Active Membership, you must:

• Acquire and maintain a suitable 24-hour ready pack.
• Abide by the LRSAR Bylaws, Media Policy, and Standard Operating Guidelines.
• Maintain a professional attitude and level of dedication.
• (Most Importantly) Commit to regularly respond to callouts and attend trainings. Failure to attend a minimum of (2) trainings and (2) call outs per year may result in removal from the team roster.

What if you desire to "give back" to the hiking community but don’t feel that you’re able to meet the demanding requirements of Search and Rescue?

You may be able to volunteer with the US Forest Service as a Trailhead or Backcountry Steward within White Mountain National Forest.

• Trailhead Stewards provide hiker safety information at busy trailheads, helping to prevent SAR missions by educating hikers before they set off unprepared.
• Backcountry Stewards patrol busy trails, assist hikers in need, and perform light trail maintenance.

More information on these roles is available on the volunteer.gov portal. Both roles require attending volunteer training in the spring, so look into this early in the year if you’re interested.