About Dorset Search & Rescue (DorSAR)
Dorset Search & Rescue was founded in 2004 by Bob Knott and since then has grown in both size and reputation.
We are available and on call 24/7, 365 days of the year, with a commitment to Dorset Police that we are able to deploy anywhere in the county of Dorset within 90 minutes of being called upon.
Called into action via Dorset Police, DorSAR are able to offer considerable resources to support the county's emergency services in times of crisis. Dorset Search & Rescue currently comprises of over 80 operational search technicians who are all qualified Lowland Rescue Search Technicians, a qualification that satisfies national standards. We have three vehicles, a comprehensively equipped search control vehicle, a bespoke water team support vehicle and a 4×4 Land Rover.
Our Culture
Do the right thing
At Dorset Search and Rescue, doing the right thing is at the heart of everything we do. Our volunteers commit to making sound, ethical decisions in high-pressure situations, always putting the safety and well-being of those we search for above all else. Whether it means reporting a concern about a team member's welfare, following proper protocols even under time pressure, or being honest about our capabilities and limitations, integrity guides every mission we undertake. Doing the right thing means being accountable to each other, to the people we serve and to the communities across Dorset who trust us to be there when it matters most.
Save lives
Saving lives is the fundamental purpose of Dorset Search and Rescue and the driving force behind everything we do. Our dedicated volunteers train tirelessly, developing the skills, knowledge, and physical fitness needed to locate and rescue missing or vulnerable people in some of the most challenging conditions imaginable. Whether searching remote countryside, coastal paths, or urban environments, every callout carries the potential to make the difference between life and death. By responding swiftly, working professionally, and never giving up on those who need us, our teams give people in crisis the best possible chance of coming home safely to their loved ones.
Operational Structure
On a deployment, we separate those responding to a callout into individual search teams. A team will typically consist of between four and six search personell but never fewer than two. Each operational member holds a Lowland Rescue Search Technician qualification which consists of multiple skills (e.g. First Aid, Basic Navigation, Radio Communications), meaning any member of the team can fulfill that role. Each team is then led by a qualified Team Leader.
Depending on the availability of our volunteers, a typical deployment will usually see several of these search teams working in specific designated areas, under the instruction of Search Control. Our Search Control typically consists of at least one Search Planner but will usually include a Radio Operator, Search Operations and Control Support personell. Our Search Control team usually work alongside a Lost Person Search Manager (LPSM) or a Police Search Advisor (PolSAR) from Dorset Police. Using the same mapping systems, intelligence and previous experience of working together, Dorset Search & Rescue work closely with Dorset Police on our control vehicle to coordinate search efforts in an efficient manner
In addition to our standard operational structure, Dorset Search & Rescue has a number of personnel who are trained in advanced skills.
In addition to our standard operational structure, Dorset Search & Rescue has a number of personnel who are trained in advanced skills.
