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PO Box 3492 Norfolk, Virginia 23514-3492 (757) 877 - 3449

Tidewater Search and Rescue Group is a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable corporation founded in 1985 and based in Norfolk Virginia. TSAR is a member of the Appalachian Search and Rescue Conference Inc. based out of Charlottesville Virginia and in October 2006 TSAR became a member of the Southeast Louisiana Search and Rescue Team.

TSAR has an additional MOU with the Commonwealth of Virginia, which affords us the ability to respond locally and independently in SE Virginia and surrounding areas to include NE North Carolina when requested by the state. We can provide incident command, staff, team leadership and clue aware ground search resources for lost or missing person searches in both wilderness and urban settings. We also can are utilized for searches involving downed aircraft throughout Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Our members maintain training in semi-technical rescue, search tactics/techniques, clue awareness and land navigation at a minimum to accomplish this mission.

TSAR requires all members keep current certifications in First Aid and CPR. Most members choose to upgrade to Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder. This training and real-world experience allows us to respond to almost any type of incident and provide the care necessary to give our search subject the best chance of survival.

We strongly participate in community and preventive SAR education. TSAR presents “Lost but Found, Safe and Sound” training for youth groups and other organizations. This one-hour presentation teaches both the children and the adults of the group what to do if you become separated from each other in the outdoors. We also better educate the participants on what is needed for a day in the woods to help keep you and your loved ones safe until help arrives. This program is free and focuses on youth ages 5 – 12 years old. However, it is informative and available to any age group.

DONATIONS! This organization is sustained on fundraising and contributions. All personal equipment is bought and maintained by the individual member. Each member is responsible for their transportation to searches. Group equipment is bought and maintained by our fundraising efforts of car-parking and contributions. We are always in need of additional equipment such as hand-held radios, generators, medical supplies, crank-up mast. The Logistics Sections goal for the new year of 2007 is to locate a home for (SEE Map of Tidewater VA to see where our efforts are pinpointed) TSAR that has the characteristics that our organization has identified. Those being, central to our membership base, secure for storage of equipment and personal vehicles during searches, have room for administrative offices and classrooms and to be LOW Priced or donated lease. We are an IRS certified 501(c)3 organization. A copy of our financial report and IRS certification is available on request. Want to help? Want to donate Funds or Equipment? Want to help TSAR find a HOME. Contact the Planning Section for information on how you can help. TSAR United Way Numbers; South Hampton Roads 1248.