Mission Statement
STAR1 Search and Rescue assists public safety officials with lost and missing person incidents. We provide certified search and rescue technicians and qualified search management assistance throughout the State of Iowa.
STAR 1 Search and Rescue is a nonprofit, professional volunteer group that provides Iowa public safety agencies with vital search and rescue resources.
We are based in Story County. Most of our members are from central Iowa and we train at various locations in central Iowa.
As volunteer professionals, we believe that training and education are crucial to the successful resolution of missing person incidents. Our members have obtained a professional level of training and certification in such areas as search strategies, clue awareness, crime scene preservation and search management. All members are encouraged to continue their SAR education through recognized training programs, evaluations, and seminars.
STAR 1 deploys when requested by law enforcement or public safety agencies.
We dispatch through Story County Emergency Management Agency.
Certifications
All team members are certified as Ground Search technicians. We are also trained on the National Incident Command System (ICS),Clue Awareness and Crime Scene Preservation.
Ground Search Technicians: Every member of our search team has certified as a ground searcher at NASAR SARTECH III level or above. Our Search Technician training focuses on the knowledge and skills necessary to serve as effective ground searchers.
K9 Handlers: STAR 1 uses NASAR's K9 certification standards for Area Search, Trailing, Human Remains Detection (HRD) and First Responder Disaster (live and cadaver). K9 Teams train for and certify in one or more of these specialties, though the handler must certify as a SAR Tech III.
Mounted Team: Mounted Search Technicians (MSAR members) are tested through NASAR as mounted SAR Tech III. In addition to the MSAR certification, some of our members do additional training in equine air scenting.
Search Management Support: STAR 1 does not assume control of an incident but can provide valuable assistance to the command staff. Team members rotate the command responsibilities in training exercises. Our Search Managers have received MPLI (Managing the Lost Person Incident) and other search management training.
Donations
Donations are always welcome and needed. Our team has ongoing expenses for training, equipment purchases, computer/communications services, equipment storage, insurance, and other administrative overhead. Members provide their personal equipment and pay much of the expense for training and deployments. We have been fortunate to receive some grants for ongoing expenses. STAR 1 does not charge for their services as a search organization. STAR 1 is a 501(c)(3) organization.
Founded in 1993...
STAR 1 was created when Fire and EMS personnel in Story County recognized a need for advanced search and technical rescue capabilities.
As other agencies became equipped to respond to rescue emergencies the team evolved into a statewide search team that has responded to lost person incidents throughout Iowa as well as in eastern Nebraska and western Illinois.