our history
and mission

Custer County Search and Rescue (CCSAR), is an all-volunteer team, located in Westcliffe, Colorado, the county seat.

CCSAR formally organized as a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation in 2002 and provides services under the direction of the County Sheriff, who has the statutory responsibility for SAR operations in the county.

With its origins in the mid-70’s, today’s SAR team is outfitted with five 4×4 response vehicles, three ATVs, capable of running tracks in the winter months, and a variety of other technical, medical and communications equipment, including VHF and DTR  800 Mhz capabilities

CCSAR works with many cooperating agencies, during life and death emergencies, including Flight for Life, Reach Air Medical Services, Division of Fire Prevention and Control’s Canon City Helitack, the Colorado Army National Guard aviation units with the Colorado High Altitude Aviation Training Site, and COANG at Buckly Air Force Base, as well as the Colorado Hoist Rescue Team, and Colorado Search and Rescue Association.

Jonathan Wiley serves at the current Team Captain. Past Captains include Dennis Shaydak, Buzz Inderdall, Corey Phillips, Bob Pruiskma, Cindy Howard, Larry Weber.