Linn County’s Sheriff’s Office search and rescue work is shaped by difficult terrain. Much of the population is based in the western valley around Albany. The eastern half of the county, however, extends into remote wilderness near Mount Jefferson and Mount Washington and along the Pacific Crest Trail.

Search and rescue here is complex. Federal wilderness rules limit motorized equipment. Helicopters require extra approvals. Dense Pacific Northwest forests, limited visibility, and slow movement through rugged terrain and rough terrain significantly increase the difficulty of search efforts. These conditions demand careful coordination and place sustained pressure on local SAR teams.

Custom reports saved me a lot of time, I used to use spreadsheets to try and keep track of everything. D4H has been a game changer.

– Ric Lentz
Emergency Manager/SAR Coordinator

Coordinated response in challenging terrain

In Linn County, search and rescue operations are led by the Sheriff’s Office, mainly the Mountain Patrol Division. Officers often respond first to missing-person reports, using their knowledge of remote recreation areas. They identify the last known location, then notify the SAR command team, which mobilizes resources as needed.

The team follows a structured response process for all emergencies, from lost hikers to complex rescues. Dispatch alerts the SAR Incident Command Group. Team members confirm availability, and the command team assigns roles and resources. Smaller “Hasty” vehicles allow a fast initial response, often with a medical specialist and rope rescue expert, while larger support vehicles follow with additional equipment.

Communication is critical during missions, but rugged terrain limits coverage. East of Cascadia on Highway 20, cell and radio signals are weak.

Simplifying operations and monitoring readiness

Since 2023, Linn County SAR has used EcoOnline’s D4H solution to streamline operations. The team manages incidents, attendance, and training in a single dashboard, giving leaders a clear view of missions and exercises. Centralized tracking ensures participation and certifications are up to date. By organising all data in one place, the platform helps the team monitor readiness, allocate resources, and focus on rescue work instead of paperwork.

Respond faster with real-time visibility

Book a demo

Complete visibility.
Smarter decisions.
Safer teams.

Let’s chat

Simplifying records and streamlining operations

A key benefit of D4H is storing volunteer certifications digitally. Volunteers can access their certificates anytime, reducing administrative follow-up. Attendance and hours can be exported as PDFs or spreadsheets for insurance purposes, providing clear documentation if an incident occurs. This replaces manual spreadsheets, saving time and improving accuracy while making record-keeping much easier.

Linn County SAR is introducing D4H’s Operations Center into emergency response. The platform has been especially useful during fire and winter storm incidents. Customisable forms allow the team to capture and export incident data as PDFs, making it easy to share information. This has improved organization and documentation during large-scale operations.

Clear communication, faster response

Linn County SAR uses D4H’s Operations Center to create detailed Incident Action Plans (IAPs) that coordinate efforts with local agencies. Exportable IAPs include cover pages and tables of contents, giving teams a professional, organized package to follow. This improves communication, clarifies roles in real time, and enhances overall response effectiveness.

Customisable D4H forms simplify operations for volunteers and staff who may not be familiar with technical Incident Command language. During a recent winter storm, volunteers used these forms to record welfare checks, track tasks, and share information efficiently. The team also uses forms for FEMA reporting and weather updates, keeping all critical data in one place.

Form customization, including ICS 209 reports, allows the team to share up-to-date incident information via links. This saves time, increases transparency, and keeps everyone aligned during large-scale operations without relying on constant email updates.