​​​​

911

For emergencies or to report lost/overdue persons

DIAL

Flathead County is located in the northwest corner of Montana and encompasses a total area of 5,256 square miles of various terrain including 158 square miles of water in the form of lakes, reservoirs, and rivers making it an outdoor recreation destination year round. Consequently, the need for search and rescue resources is significant.

To cover such a large expanse of country, the county relies on two SAR agencies to serve the people who reside in and enjoy the Flathead County.  Flathead County Search and Rescue is based out of Kalispell and North Valley Rescue is based out of Columbia Falls.  Flathead County primarily responds to the southwestern half of the county and North Valley responds to emergencies on the northeast side.  Often times these two agencies train together and respond in tandem as the need arises.

Dispatched through the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, search and rescue responders are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days per year to provide assistance to missing or injured persons within Flathead County and the surrounding region.  Whether the search area is the wilderness, the rural countryside, or a residential neighborhood, SAR personnel are prepared to respond with specialized training in areas such as canine handling, swiftwater rescue, technical rope rescue, ice rescue, man tracking and certified medical response.