Oregon Law
Law as of Jan 1, 2026
Chapter contents
404.095“Search and rescue” not to include urban search and rescue 404.100Search and Rescue Coordinator; appointment; duties 404.105Program for air search and rescue 404.110Search and rescue activities; responsibilities of sheriff; delegation of sheriff’s duties 404.115Restriction of access to search and rescue area 404.120County sheriff to adopt search and rescue plan; contents; annual review 404.125Critique of search and rescue incident; filing amended search and rescue plan with Oregon Department of Emergency Management 404.130Search and rescue incident number 404.135Investigative subpoena 404.200Definitions for ORS 404.200 to 404.215 404.205Application 404.210Coverage under Oregon Tort Claims Act 404.215Workers’ compensation coverage 404.250Leave of absence from employment for search and rescue volunteer 404.255Definitions 404.257Required disclosures by private search parties 404.260Required notification to county sheriff 404.265Imposition of civil penalties by county 404.270Reimbursement of public body for search and rescue by benefited persons; amount; exceptions 404.300Definitions for ORS 404.300 to 404.315 404.305Assumption of risk of wilderness travel or mountain climbing; use and effect of electronic signaling devices 404.310Required equipment when guiding children above timberline 404.315Exemption from liability for electronic signaling device; exceptions 404.325Posting of emergency contact telephone number 404.350Rescue of companion animal 404.400Agreement for outdoor recreation search and rescue card program 404.410Requirements of program; search and rescue grants; reporting

Chapter 404 — Search and Rescue

ORS 404.110 Search and rescue activities; responsibilities of sheriff; delegation of sheriff’s duties

(1)

The sheriff of each county has the responsibility for search and rescue activities within the county. The duty of a sheriff under this subsection may be delegated to a deputy or other qualified person.

(2)

If the sheriff does not accept the responsibility for search and rescue activities, the chief executive of the county shall direct the county emergency program manager appointed under ORS 401.305 to perform the duties and responsibilities required under ORS 404.095 to 404.270.

(3)

A sheriff or other person performing the duties of the sheriff under this section shall notify the Oregon Department of Emergency Management of each search and rescue in the county and shall request the assignment of incident numbers for each search and rescue.

(4)

When search and rescue activities occur in a multicounty area:

(a)

The sheriff of one county, or the other person performing the duties of the sheriff of one of the counties under this section, shall take charge, or the counties shall form a unified command, as outlined in the National Incident Management System Incident Command System established by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 of February 28, 2003; or

(b)

If the appropriate sheriff or other person does not assume command as described in paragraph (a) of this subsection, the sheriff who received the initial call shall take charge of the multicounty search and rescue.

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Provenance

Version history

Prior statutory text is not available in the ingested published editions. Consult an earlier official ORS edition or the cited Oregon Laws chapter.