What We Do
Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad (KVRS) is self dispatched and works closely with the Alaska State Troopers, USCG, and the USFS. We are a participant in our local community disaster plan. We own and operate a mobile communications unit capable of multi frequency disaster communications, providing world wide emergency communications. Our operators stand watch as part of the Emergency Radio Relay and Tsunami Warning Networks and our volunteers are tasked with over 2,500 man-hours, in an average of 20 search and rescue operations a year.
We utilize an all-volunteer crew to provide search & rescue services to more than 5,000 sq. miles of southeast Alaska. Our area of operations include hundreds of small islands, inlets and bays and has several thousand miles of uninhabited shoreline we provide the services below.
Wilderness Search and Rescue
30 members, ICS trained and under the control of an overhead management team. Trained in all aspects of ground search and rescue. The team will self deploy and arrive equipped as a self contained unit split into 3 – 6 man teams for short or long term deployments.
K-9 Search
3 members, ICS trained and under the control of a Rescue Captain/Safety officer. Currently have three certified air scenting dogs. The team will self deploy and arrive ready to support rescue operations of 2 – 3 day durations.
Electronic Tracking
3 members ICS trained and under the control of a Rescue Captain/Safety officer. Respond as the primary search asset for DF operations. Capable of tracking all AM, FM, or Emergency Frequencies. The team will self deploy and arrive ready to support search operations of 2 – 3 day durations. Will also deploy our self contained communication package providing Satellite and trunked telephone, AM, FM, and worldwide HF radio dispatch services.
Marine Search and Rescue
8 members ICS trained under the control of a Rescue Captain/Safety officer. Responding with licensed skippers and KVRS trained boat crews with a 26-foot light duty dive rescue vessel with a 250 mile range and top speed of 50 knots, capable of light weather SAR and rapid response in support of SAR and marine operations.