Deschutes County Search and Rescue volunteers put skills to the test in academy field training

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Happening Now, the 2026 Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Academy class is out in the field, transitioning from training into action, the Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post Thursday.

24 volunteers were selected from a pool of 150 for this year’s academy and are now taking part in hands-on training focused on the core elements of search and rescue work.

Those skills include land navigation, search methods, patient packaging and movement, wilderness survival and working safely as a team in challenging terrain.

The real-world scenarios are designed to prepare volunteers for the kinds of missions they may face, including fast-changing weather, rugged conditions and situations where someone’s safety depends on training and teamwork.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office thanked instructors and veteran search and rescue volunteers for guiding the group through the academy.

Officials said they are proud of the commitment the new volunteers have already shown and are looking forward to watching them grow throughout the 2026 academy.