Want To Help Powell County Search and Rescue?
There are several ways to do it!
Powell County Search & Rescue is a 501c3 non-profit organization working in the Red River Gorge Geological Area of the Daniel Boone National Forest. The volunteers of Search & Rescue spend hundreds of hours each year donating their time and talents to rescuing folks from cliffs and rugged terrain. Each rescue is unique and each person we rescue has a story to tell. We invite you to join with us in our mission of saving lives! You can become a valuable part of this effort by helping us accomplish what we are finding to be more and more difficult: funding these rescue missions from our own pockets.
Make A Donation
Powell County Search and Rescue is a non-profit, all volunteer organization funded entirely through individual donations, and fundraisings.
Become A Volunteer
There are many different roles and levels of support – you don’t have to be a world-class climber to provide an indispensable service to the search and rescue community.
Wish List
Please consider making IN-KIND material donations to Powell County Search and Rescue. Tax receipts based on the fair market value can be provided.
Who Are We?
We are an all volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to aiding persons lost or injured in the back country of Red River Gorge, Kentucky.
Why Donate?
Your generous contribution to our non-profit organization is 100% tax deductible and could one day save your life or the life of a loved one.
Latest Search & Rescue News
Sponsors
We had a hail of a time today!
At 11:55 AM this morning, Powell County Search and Rescue was dispatched along side Powell County Emergency Medical Services for a report of a female who had fallen on the Original Trail at Natural Bridge State Resort Park.
Powell County EMS personnel along side Search and Rescue members embedded into the woods at 12:45 PM to began extraction of the patient.
Personnel from both agencies were fighting heavy rain, strong winds, and dime sized hail during the hike in to the patient and out back to the lodge.
The patient was successfully extracted from the woods at 01:15 PM and transferred to Powell County EMS for further treatment and transport.
As always, we are grateful for the assistance provided by Powell County EMS, Natural Bridge Park Staff, and Natural Bridge Park Rangers.
All units cleared the scene at 01:30 PM ... See MoreSee Less
60 CommentsComment on Facebook
Nice work!
God bless you all praying for safety always
Awesome job guys and gals..
View more comments
At 3:30 PM, Powell County Search and Rescue was alerted about two overdue hikers by a concerned friend. The friend had been given a set return time, and after waiting an hour and a half past it with no contact, they requested assistance. The hikers’ shared GPS location had stopped pinging, and all calls were going to voicemail.
At 3:50 PM, PCSAR’s Logistics Officer arrived at the Auxier Ridge Trailhead and confirmed the hikers' vehicle was still there. After interviewing multiple hikers exiting both sides of the Courthouse Rock Trail loop, it was determined that no one had recently seen them.
At 4:05 PM, a full search response from SAR Members was initiated.
Rescuers made contact with the hikers at 5:30 PM and confirmed the hikers were safe, uninjured, and had taken shelter along the trail due to heavy rain and strong winds.
We encourage all Red River Gorge visitors to never hike alone, or if you do, to inform a trusted person of your expected return time. These hikers and their friend did everything right! ... See MoreSee Less
26 CommentsComment on Facebook
PCSR rocks!
Awesome! Great job! 💪
You are the best. Thank everyone who has helped with the rescue teams
View more comments
In light of recent events, we would like to reassure the community and visitors to the Red River Gorge that Powell County Search and Rescue is still an active team and will respond to calls of service within our county and any requests for mutual aid.
We, however, will not be accompanied by our sister agency Red STAR Wilderness EMS. Kentucky regulations prohibit any rescue squad from providing medical care beyond first aid. Any care needed beyond that scope will be provided by the county EMS service, pending available resources.
We cherish our alliance and partnership with RedStar and we are grateful for the decade of wilderness EMS service they have provided to our community. ... See MoreSee Less
32 CommentsComment on Facebook
This is so scary and sad. I’m sure you all are just as, if not more, upset as we are because we know how much you all care about the community.
I don't understand this at all. It was my understanding that Redstar is a volunteer organization? Is that accurate? If so, why did the judge exec stop them from helping? I also know that powell county ems has a smaller staff, how many people are employeed with EMS? In an emergency, how many of the employees could actually get up those hills in the gorge and pack someone out? Not trying to be mean, but that's a lot on a person. I doubt I could do it. Just seems dangerous to stop an organization that has been doing it awhile, fully capable and willing. Eddie Barnes needs to give a statement. People need to understand.
It’s a shame that politics has to come into play when people’s lives are on the line
View more comments
Today’s the day! Come on out and meet the team.Come out to La Cabana Mexican Restaurant in the beautiful Red River Gorge Monday, March 10th for a fun-filled community fundraiser supporting the Powell County Search & Rescue!🚨
🗓 Date: Monday, March 10th
🕕 Time: 11am-9pm
🕕 Meet the Team Time: 6-8 PM
📍 Location: La Cabana Mexican Restaurant, Red River Gorge
🍽 10% of your meal will go directly to the Powell County Search and Rescue Team!
Let’s come together and show our support for those who give everything to keep us safe. See you there! 🌟
#FundraiserForACause #SupportOurRescueTeam #RedRiverGorge #powellcountysearchandrescue #LaCabana #CommunityMatters ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Come meet hang out and meet some of the team 🤍Come out to La Cabana Mexican Restaurant in the beautiful Red River Gorge Monday, March 10th for a fun-filled community fundraiser supporting the Powell County Search & Rescue!🚨
🗓 Date: Monday, March 10th
🕕 Time: 11am-9pm
🕕 Meet the Team Time: 6-8 PM
📍 Location: La Cabana Mexican Restaurant, Red River Gorge
🍽 10% of your meal will go directly to the Powell County Search and Rescue Team!
Let’s come together and show our support for those who give everything to keep us safe. See you there! 🌟
#FundraiserForACause #SupportOurRescueTeam #RedRiverGorge #powellcountysearchandrescue #LaCabana #CommunityMatters ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
I'll try to get lunch there on Monday before work! Wish I could meet the team but I'll see yall the weekend after
This is awesome!
PCSAR had a call last night for an injured hiker on the original trail at Natural Bridge State Park. A young group of rock climbers from Michigan had been enjoying a great week of climbing in the gorge and decided to hike to Natural Bridge on their last night here On their way back, one of them slipped on a wet rock and injured her knee The injury required medical attention and the patient had to be carried out. Powell County Emergency Medical Services and Red STAR Wilderness EMS responded with us to provide medical help. Our friends at Lee County Search & Rescue assisted in the carry out. The large number of steps and muddy conditions made the carry out difficult, but the it was completed without any issues The patient was transported to a hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. She did say that the gorge provided some of the best rock climbing the group had ever experienced, and getting to eat at Miguel's Pizza made the trip worth it. ... See MoreSee Less
15 CommentsComment on Facebook
Always good to come out and work with you guys. We appreciate the call.
We are so thankful to have our rescue crew. Thank you all...
Thank you for your continued help and importance to our area
View more comments
Proud to have local businesses that support all search and rescue efforts in the Red River Gorge! Between Powell, Lee, Wolfe and Estill counties, we all work together as one team and one community.
La Cabana has reached out to all teams to schedule separate opportunities to raise funds for our organizations.
Thank you so much for your continued support!We would like to thank everyone who came out for our first Dine to Donate event for the Lee County SAR! We are so excited to bring these events to our community and to be able to help our local HEROES who volunteer their time! ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
PCSAR spent the day assisting in Floyd County helping in water rescue operations. Joined in service by our partners Red STAR Wilderness EMS. We were aided by civilians and local first responders with surplus military vehicles to haul our boat to the rescue locations through various portage puddles.
It is in technical rescues like this where we rely on the resources available. The location of the patient was through a shallow, isolated pocket of water. Apparatuses were utilized to enhance the capabilty of the waterborne rescue team.
Remember to obey posted road closure signs and prepare a 72 hour emergency preparedness kit. ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Be careful wish I was with you guys
Great being out there with you guys