Founded in 2004 by Jim Rawley, RICSAR has evolved into a respected, responsive, and professional canine SAR team. Our members are a diverse group of SAR professionals who each bring experience and knowledge to all team trainings and deployments. We are an all volunteer group, and are dedicated to saving lives and providing closure for families who’s loved ones have been missing, for whatever reason.

RICSAR trains in a multitude of disciplines that enables us to provide aid in wilderness Search and rescue, urban search and rescue (in the event of a man made or natural disaster), Water rescue and recovery, and cadaver search and recovery. the team also functions as an educational asset to the community, to help the public understand how to be safe in the wilderness.

RICSAR works closely with all law enforcement and Fire Departments, who dispatch us when the need arises. effective searches for missing people require a systematic and multi-disciplinary approach, therefore, we are only mobilized when called upon by law enforcement or other qualified agencies.

We cannot respond to searches for missing people from individuals and We do not participate in searches for missing pets.

We primarily serve Rhode Island, but are available throughout New England, and even beyond, if called upon.