Whatcom Co Search & Rescue 4x4 Unit

Meet one of our SAR Deputies!!

A couple things about Deputy Jordan Andersen are easily apparent. He loves the outdoors. And he has a heart for service.

When he’s not at work, Jordan enjoys time with his young family swimming, boating, camping and “losing golf balls.” And what about work?

Jordan not only knew – from the young age of ten – that he wanted to be law enforcement, he also knew he wanted to work in Search and Rescue (SAR). That, along with a wife who grew up in Blaine, is what brought the Stevenson, Washington native to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO).

In this state, each county’s sheriff’s office is legally responsible to provide Search and Rescue services.

At WCSO, Jordan is one of three deputies and a sergeant who oversee SAR. When search or rescue is needed, they call on units within Whatcom County Search & Rescue Council, ranging from Bellingham Mountain Rescue, Emergency Comms, Whatcom Dive Rescue and Whatcom Co Search & Rescue 4x4 Unit to Summit to Sound Search & Rescue. Each of those units is staffed by volunteers.

“Everyone in SAR who’s in the field is there on their own,” says Jordan. “They’re not getting paid.” In fact, SAR volunteers pay for all their own equipment and required training – and donate their time.

“I never take for granted the hours they put in,” says Jordan. “You don’t watch the clock if you’re with people who like what they do – and want to do it.”

Jordan says the commitment of SAR volunteers is a big part of what makes his job so special. But perhaps he also contributes his own “special sauce.”

He came to WCSO with experience in both corrections (as the state’s youngest corrections officer at the time) and 911 dispatch, followed by seven years in the Air Force, including service overseas in Kuwait. It all contributed to the man who has a heart not only to serve, but also for those who are served. Especially when SAR locates someone who has already passed away.

“We wish we could locate everybody alive,” he says. But that’s not always possible. “If I had a loved one who went into the woods and did not come out, I would worry.” Jordan says at least SAR can demonstrate effort and provide closure. And hopefully some peace of mind.

Thank you for your service, Deputy Andersen.

If you have any information please call 911 🚨

Ongoing mission…

***UPDATE***
Whatcom 911 service is restored.

SERVICE HAS BEEN RESTORED

ALERT: Whatcom County is experiencing a disruption to 911 services. If you are unable to reach help when dialing 911, hang up and dial (360) 676-6911 to reach the 911 dispatch center directly.

Yesterday’s Water Training in preperation for Ski to Sea. Whatcom County Search & Rescue Council overseas the safety of the 18 mile canoe leg of the race. Our boats were out for their last river sweep mapping an marking obstacles when they were flagged down by bystanders to assist with these rescues.

Whatcom rescue group pulls two people from Nooksack River during training outing

This is a very awesome event King County Search and Rescue is hosting, opening the vail to what really goes on during high stakes Search and Rescue operations!

Your Chance to Hear Some Untold Stories Behind Search & Rescue

The calls.
The terrain.
The helicopters.
The volunteers who drop everything.
The stories we usually can’t fully tell.

Because of our work with the Sheriff’s Office, there are limits to what can be shared publicly — but at SARposium, you’ll get a rare inside look at what it takes to bring loved ones home.

You’ll meet the volunteers.
You’ll hear real rescue stories.
You’ll see SAR helicopters and search drones up close.
You’ll experience a little of what it feels like when the mission call comes in.

And yes… there will be great food, live music, door prizes, and a whole lot of vicarious adventure. 🌮🎶🚁

📍 SARposium 2026
🗓 Thursday, May 14
⏰ 4:00–8:00 PM
📍 Remlinger Farms, Carnation
🎟 Tickets: $45 — includes program, food, and drink tickets

Come for the stories.
Stay for the experience.
Leave with a whole new appreciation for the volunteers who answer the call.

👉 Get tickets here: https://sarposium.com/

Please share this with someone who loves adventure, community, helicopters, rescue stories, or supporting local volunteers. 💛

On Monday, April 27, the Whatcom County Search and Rescue (WCSAR) 4x4 Unit was dispatched at 12:18 p.m. to assist with a stuck vehicle off Baker Lake Road on NF-13. A Whatcom County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) deputy stationed near Baker Lake made initial contact with the subjects and determined that assistance from the WCSAR 4x4 Unit was needed for the vehicle recovery.

Three WCSAR 4x4 volunteers responded, leaving work and school, and arrived at the forest service road at approximately 2:40 p.m. They traveled about 8.5 miles up NF-13, where they met the deputy waiting at the snow line. After receiving a briefing on the situation, the team continued into the snow to reach the subjects.

The vehicle was located about 0.5 miles past the snow line. It had slid off the hardpacked snow in the roadway into softer snow along the edge, becoming stuck.

WCSAR volunteers reached the subjects at 3:10 p.m. and began assessing the situation and developing a plan. Using vehicle-mounted winches and sn**ch blocks, rescuers successfully pulled the vehicle back onto the hardpacked snow. They then assisted the subjects in turning the vehicle around and beginning the descent back below the snow line.

During the return, the vehicle became stuck two additional times. After the second occurrence, rescuers attached a tow rope to provide continuous support and ensure safe travel back to the gravel road.

By 4:16 p.m., both rescuers and subjects had made it below the snow line and continued down NF-13 to Baker Lake Road. The mission was completed at 5:03 p.m., with all parties returning home safely and no injuries reported.

Jack Harding, PIO
WCSAR 4x4 Unit

REMINDER: We will not tolerate negative or degrading comments towards people we assist or rescue.

A few weekends ago, several members of Whatcom County Search and Rescue, along with local law enforcement partners from the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) and Everson Police Department, as well as a member of Skagit Mountain Rescue Unit, Inc., participated in a three-day Search Management Training course.

The course was led by Hugh Dougher, a highly experienced search manager and instructor with more than four decades of SAR experience. A retired National Park Service ranger and longtime SAR volunteer, Hugh has taught courses across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East. He has also served as Incident Commander (IC) on multiple Federal Type 1 (all-hazard) incidents and is currently a senior member of Skagit Mountain Rescue.

The first two days focused on classroom instruction covering search theory, subject behavior, and operational planning. On the third day, participants applied these concepts in field-based scenarios.

The day began with clue awareness exercises, followed by a mock grid search using “critical separation,” a technique that maximizes coverage while maintaining a high probability of detection.

In the afternoon, teams conducted a full-scale mock search with support from Whatcom County CERT volunteers acting as missing subjects. Using Sheriff’s Office drones and multiple ground teams, participants worked to establish the subject’s Last Known Point (LKP) and implement effective containment of the search area.

Overall, the training provided a comprehensive and practical learning experience, strengthening our team’s ability to manage a wide range of search and rescue operations. While extended, multi-day missions are relatively uncommon; they do occur—making this type of training especially valuable.

Jack Harding, PIO WCSAR 4x4 Unit

Thanks for the shoutout! Our volunteers work hard and are dedicated to helping our local Whatcom County community!

We continue our series of tributes to those who volunteer with the Sheriff's Office of Division of Emergency Management - the heroes of Search and Rescue! For more information, visit https://www.wcsar.org/ (And watch KGMI News/Talk 790 for an upcoming article on SAR tips for recreational activity.)