About Us

The Aviation Division of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT-AD) is responsible for the conduct and management of all aerial search and rescue within the state of Washington (RCW 47.68.380). This includes search and rescue efforts involving aircraft and airships. The Division is also responsible for search and rescue activities involving electronic emergency signaling devices such as emergency locater transmitters (ELT’s) and emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRB’s).

WASAR was formed in 1993 by the Washington Pilots Association in order to formally support air search and rescue and disaster relief activities. WASAR acts only at the direction of the Aviation Division and is a 501(c3) tax deductible, charitable corporation.

In 1996, WAC 468-200 was passed into law, requiring that all emergency workers be registered with the WSDOT-Aviation Division in order to be involved in air search and rescue/disaster relief missions. The law also mandates that emergency workers must meet all training requirements for their specialty as set out by WSDOT-AD in order to become qualified and registered.

WASAR’s primary role is to support the WSDOT-AD in their SAR and Disaster Relief responsibilities. Members and their equipment are available 24 hours a day to support emergency activities at the direction of WSDOT-AD.

View WASAR Bylaws >
(PDF Format)