Mission & Purpose

The Maine Association for Search and Rescue (MASAR) is a non-profit organization incorporated in the State of Maine in 1990. Its main purpose is to promote and develop search and rescue (SAR) capabilities and resources in the State of Maine with the underlying principle of saving lives. To serve this purpose, it organizes symposia providing classes in SAR topics for SAR personnel across the state and, in conjunction with the Maine Warden Service, plans mock search practice sessions to provide realistic training for volunteers and Game Wardens statewide. To promote individual and unit competence and to develop confidence in the abilities of SAR volunteers statewide, it has developed standards defining the knowledge and skills SAR unit members must have and manages the certification procedure for volunteer search and rescue personnel in state.

MASAR provides a forum for Maine’s volunteer SAR organizations to express their concerns and exchange ideas in the furtherance of SAR throughout the state. It also acts as liaison between the individual member organizations and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR), and similar agencies both in and out of state.

Professional Development

MASAR, in conjunction with the Maine Warden Service, organizes an annual statewide SAR conference and training exercises, typically held in May. Occasionally, MASAR may also host mock searches that provide realistic training for MASAR members and Wardens.

Certification Standards

Based on ASTM's national standards for search and rescue, MASAR's standards specifically define the knowledge and skills that members of MASAR-certified organizations must have. MASAR also manages the certification procedure for volunteer search and rescue personnel in the State of Maine. The Maine Warden Service and other agencies rely on this certification process to ensure the competence of their professional SAR volunteers statewide.

Resource Activation

In response to requests from several law enforcement agencies, MASAR utilizes a very efficient and effective system to activate Maine volunteer SAR resources.

If you require assistance locating a lost person, please call the Maine Warden Service at 207-287-8000 or (outside business hours) call 911.

Networking & Teamwork

MASAR provides a forum for Maine’s volunteer SAR organizations to express their concerns and exchange ideas in the furtherance of SAR. It also acts as liaison between the individual member organizations and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR), and similar agencies both in and out of state.