Special Unit 95 with the Lancaster County EMA
We conduct searches only for missing persons
To have PACSAR respond, call Lancaster County Fire/EMS Dispatch: (717) 664-1190 & request Special Unit 95
Or call us direct- 717-484-9577 for Emergency or Non-Emergency situations
Who is the Pennsylvania Canine Search & Rescue? "PACSAR" is a group of highly trained and certified volunteers that offers Search and Rescue services free of charge and provides additional resources to other SAR teams, local law enforcement, and fire companies in the surrounding areas of Lancaster County, and is fully insured.
WE CONDUCT SEARCHES FOR MISSING PEOPLE NOT ANIMALS.
Our services include: Field-ready members, Certified K9 Units in Air scent, Tracking, water and Land HRD, Certified Drone pilots, 2 UTVS, and QRS services.
All active field-ready PACSAR members are certified in First Aid/CPR. Multiple members carry certifications with FEMA Emergency Operations (NIMS 100, 200, 700, and 800), NASAR SARTECH II, (several with) SARTECH I, Hazmat awareness, Wilderness First Aid, HAM radio, K9 First Aid, and Crime Scene Awareness. Some members are certified by PA DCNR as Field Team Members and Field Team Leaders.
PACSAR's K-9 team trains continuously and works toward certifications from a National/International Working Dog Association, whose guidelines for the SAR Wilderness K-9 Certificates are recognized by FEMA, as they meet or exceed FEMA's Typed Resource Definitions FEMA 508-8. Those Outside Working Dog Association's are National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR), Pennsylvania Search and Rescue Council (PSARC), and International Police Working Dog Association (IPWDA). When a K-9 Team is ready to be tested, they will travel to an outside 3rd party certifier from NASAR, PSARC, or IPWDA for their certification.
PACSAR's Drone Division was established in October 2023. Four certified pilots and two visual observers. See our drone division page for more details.
PACSAR's Water HRD: established in 2023 with 5 dogs currently in training. See our Water HRD page for more details.
QRS team: Became a licensed unit in September 2024. PACSAR has several members who are either certified as an EMR, EMT, or Paramedic, along with other unique training and backgrounds, to provide medical care in the wilderness environment.
PACSAR became officially incorporated as a non-profit corporation in January 2013 and has the 501 (c) 3 status with the government.
PACSAR is in a Full Member status with the Pennsylvania Search and Rescue Council (PSARC), a council that sets the highest standard for SAR teams. When a SAR team is on a “Team Level” with PSARC, you have the best of the best in PA responding to help search for your lost or missing loved ones.
For more information on PSARC, please visit their website at www.psarc.org
For an Emergency Call out please call 717-484-9577 or call 911, your local County Dispatch and request Pennsylvania Canine Search and Rescue personally, Lancaster County Unit 95.
Team Mailing Address
P.O. Box 673
Adamstown, PA 19501
PACSAR'S MISSION STATEMENT
The purpose of PACSAR is to improve search and rescue capabilities in the State of Pennsylvania with volunteer search and rescue resources; to organize, prepare and respond to search emergencies when requested by authorities having jurisdiction over search incidents and to work under the guidelines of the Pennsylvania Canine Search and Rescue (PACSAR) and under the Pennsylvania Search and Rescue Council (PSARC) as well as the National Association for Search And Rescue (NASAR). Offering the most efficient search and rescue resources to the local and surrounding municipalities in the State of Pennsylvania and other surrounding States when requested by FEMA.
