About the
Arkansas Search and Rescue Association

Mission Statement

The mission of ASARA is to act as a professional, educational, and standardization organization which supports search and rescue by promoting, and assisting in the development of resources, training and educational opportunities with the underlying purpose of saving lives.

Purpose

The purpose of the Arkansas Search and Rescue Association (ASARA) is to promote and assist in the development of search capabilities within the State of Arkansas.

The Association is dedicated to the advancement of search and rescue skills, the standardization of procedures, communications and equipment, and the continued improvement of the coordination between federal, state, county, and local paid and volunteer search and rescue agencies and organizations.

Latest Posts

  • 2025 ASARA State SAR Conference

    Updated March 28, 2025

    The Arkansas Search and Rescue Association Board is excited to announce that we will be hosting the 2025 ASARA State Conference June 21-22, 2025 with pre-conference training on Thursday, June 19 and Friday, June 20. The conference will be hosted at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR.

    Conference Cost and Information

    Pre-Conference Cost:

    • All Pre-Conference classes are both Thursday and Friday
    • Cost includes attendance to the class and includes breakfast, lunch, and supper both days.
    • Cost may not include required or recommended books or other supplies. Please see course description below for details
    • Worldwide Trackers – Fernando Moreira SAR Tracker 1 Course
      • ASARA Member Teams: $260 per attendee
      • Non-ASARA Members: $280 per attendee
    • NASAR Wilderness First Aid
      • ASARA Member Teams: $190 per attendee
      • Non-ASARA Members: $210 per attendee
    • ERI Initial Response Incident Commander (IRIC)
      • ASARA Member Teams: $140 per attendee
      • Non-ASARA Members: $160 per attendee

    Conference Cost:

    • Cost includes attendance on Saturday and Sunday and includes meals
      • Breakfast, lunch, and supper on Saturday
      • Breakfast and a boxed lunch on Sunday
    • ASARA Member Teams:
      • Early Bird Registration: $100 per attendee
      • Standard Registration (after May 18, 2025): $120 per attendee
    • Non-ASARA Member Teams:
      • Early Bird Registration: $120 per attendee
      • Standard Registration (after May 18, 2025): $140 per attendee
    • Students:
      • Early Bird Registration: $70 per attendee
      • Standard Registration (after May 18, 2025): $100 per attendee
    • ATU Students (does not include any meals):
      • Early Bird Registration: $30 per attendee
      • Standard Registration (after May 18, 2025): $60 per attendee

    Please Note: Class days, cost, and other details are subject to change!

    Please Note: Extra items such as books and ASARA merchandise will be available for purchase at the conference for additional fees.

    Total cost for the Conference will vary depending on which classes you choose to attend, lodging, and any cost associated with optional extras such as ASARA merchandise purchases.

    Deadline to register to get the Early bird discount is Sunday, May 18 by 23:59.

    Any registrations on or after May 19 will be billed at the standard rate. On-campus lodging will not be available after May 18.

    DRAFT SCHEDULE as of March 26, 2025

    Pre-Conference Course Information

    Worldwide Trackers – Fernando Moreira SAR Tracker 1 course

    Training to prepare SAR members for urban, rural and night tracking under “ideal” conditions. This course is for the SAR or law enforcement person that has the desire to become a tracker for the purpose of Search & Rescue. It is an intensive course with 4 hours of classroom and 16 hours in the field. Based on Jack Kearney’s “Tracking: A Blueprint for Learning How” and developed with his consent, this course teaches all the basics.

    This 20 hour basic class is the foundation to all of our classes.

    https://www.professionaltrackers.com/sar-classes

    NASAR Wilderness First Aid (WFA) Course

    • 16 hours (2 Days)
    • Cost:
      • ASARA Member Teams: $190 per attendee
      • Non-ASARA Members: $210 per attendee
    • Days: Thursday, June 19 and Friday, June 20
    • Lead Instructor: Chris Charles
      • Phone:
      • E-mail:
    • Equipment, Supplies, and Class Materials:
      • NASAR Wilderness First Aid Book
        • Book is NOT included in the course fee
        • Book is available from NASAR bookstore, Amazon, and other sources
      • Pen or pencil
      • Notepad
    • Course Description:

    Wilderness First Aid (WFA) is a 16-hour course designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively respond to medical emergencies and injuries in remote and outdoor settings. Students will learn how to assess, treat, and manage common injuries and illnesses that may occur in wilderness environments, where access to medical help is limited or delayed. This course emphasizes hands-on training, scenario-based learning, and practical application of first aid principles in challenging outdoor conditions.

    https://nasar.org/page/WFA

    ERI Initial Response Incident Commander (IRIC)

    • 16 hours (2 Days)
    • Cost:
      • ASARA Member Teams: $140 per attendee
      • Non-ASARA Member: $160 per attendee
    • Days: Thursday, June 19 and Friday, June 20
    • Lead Instructor: Fred Mullen
      • Phone:
      • E-mail:
    • Equipment, Supplies, and Class Materials:
      • The course book will be included with the class fee
      • Additional recommended materials will NOT be included.
        • Recommended: Lost Person Behavior book or mobile app
      • Pen or pencil
      • Notepad
    • Course Description:

    (NOTE: Though this class title refers to Incident Commander, this is an excellent class the entire Search Management Staff and Agency Supervisor’s who administer SAR efforts.)

    This class is designed for Responders who have the duty to provide appropriate search methods to the report of a Lost, Missing, or Overdue person. These personnel will be the Initial Operations Search Managers. Its scope is twofold: #1 upon arriving on scene to begin actions that will quickly locate or contain the Missing Person, and, #2 In the case the MP is not quickly located, be able to provide the Extended Operations Search Managers with succinct and accurate notes that depict what areas have been searched; what clues have been located; what leads have been established; suggestions for additional search effort; resources on scene and what has been ordered; etc—this is essentially the information you need to most effectively complete your ICS 201 form. You will be shown a Information Gathering, Analysis and Task Creation process developed from the International Association of Chiefs of Police known as the Incident Response Process. This process does not replace nor interfere with our NIMS usage—it greatly accentuates it by providing easy to use SAR specific note taking and planning documents including Action Item Checklist.

    Suggested Audience: Patrol LEOs and Supervisors; SAR Team Search Managers; Park Supervisors; etc

    If you have questions, please contact the Instructor, Fred Mullen at 479-209-0818. (NOTE: There are similarities between the ERI IRIC and the NASAR IA . They both use current Best Practices for Initial Actions Incident Action Plans. The NASAR class does not include the Note Taking/Planning Docs packet. They are both excellent classes. Fred Mullen)

    Breakout Session Information

    Saturday, June 21:

    07:00-08:30

    • Breakfast and Networking

    08:30-10:00

    • Patient Evac Skills – Chris Charles
      • Attendees should have a current WFA or above certification
    • CalTopo Team Account Administration – Klay Rowbotham
      • Attendees should have Admin permission on their CalTopo Team Account and have a laptop
    • TBD

    10:00-10:30

    • Break and Networking

    10:30-12:00

    • CalTopo Mobile App Basics – Klay Rowbotham
    • Cave Rescue Awareness – Will McCullar
    • Panel Discussion/Lessons Learned – Panel

    12:00-14:00

    • Lunch

    14:00-17:00

    • Sign Awareness Basics – Fernando Moreira
    • Low Angle Rope Basics – Dave Sutter
    • Specialty Resources for SAR Managers – Cadre

    17:00-19:00

    • Dinner

    19:00-21:00

    • “SAR Fun Night” – Details to be determined

    Sunday, June 22:

    07:00 – 08:00

    • Breakfast

    08:00 – 12:00

    • Field Exercise – Details to be determined
    • Management Exercise – Details to be determined

    Immediately following morning activities

    • Lunch & Debrief

    Other Conference Features:

    • Thursday Evening: TBA
    • Friday Evening: Arkansas Search and Rescue Association General Membership Meeting and Election (Note: Must be a member of a current ASARA member team to attend)
    • Saturday Evening: “SAR Fun Night”

    Lodging and Meals

    On-campus lodging is available in Nutt Hall Wednesday, June 18 – Saturday, June 21: $40 per Night

    Virtual Tour of a Nutt Hall Dorm Room – https://youtu.be/Wu-qpW6mn9s

    Attendees will need to provide their own linens.
    No alcohol, tobacco, weapons, or pets are allowed.
    You may also secure your own lodging off-campus if you prefer.

    Please Note: Couples that wish to lodge together will need to specify this on their registration form.

    Please Note: The fees for lodging are in addition to pre-conference and conference fees and any other fees you may have.

    Please Note: Class days, cost, and other details are subject to change!

    Please Note: Extra items such as books and ASARA merchandise will be available for purchase at the conference for additional fees.

    Total Cost for the Conference will vary depending on which classes you choose to attend, lodging, and any cost associated with optional extras such as books or ASARA merchandise purchases.

    Registration Deadline is Sunday, May 18 by 23:59.

    Any registrations on or after May 19 will be billed at the standard rate. On-campus lodging room availability cannot be guaranteed after May 18.

    Thank you to our 2025 ASARA State SAR Conference Sponsors

    Class Sponsors

    Platinum Sponsors

    Gold Sponsors

    • Central Arkansas Nursing Centers

    Silver Sponsors

    Bronze Sponsors

    • Atkins Nursing and Rehab

    Are you or your business interested in being a Conference Sponsor? Take a look at our Sponsorship packet or contact an ASARA Board Member

    2025 ASARA State SAR Conference – Sponsor Packet

    On-line Conference Registration Form

    If your team enjoys having events such as our State Conference, please consider having your team join ASARA to help support our efforts. Please see the Membership page for information.

    Please check back here or follow our Facebook Page for updates.