PORTLAND, OR – Friends of the Columbia Gorge has launched a special online effort to encourage public donations in appreciation of Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue (MCSOSAR). Multnomah County Search & Rescue led successful efforts to locate Joseph (Joe) Edward Dean, who went missing in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area late Saturday, May 8. Dean was safely found Monday morning.
"We couldn't be happier to hear Joe has been found safely and reunited with his family. The speed and effectiveness of all the first responders involved in the search, was remarkable. As a thanks from our community, Friends has launched a special public appeal on behalf of the Multnomah County Search & Rescue as we head into the summer, one of the busiest times of the year for search and rescue teams in the Columbia Gorge," Friends Executive Director Kevin Gorman said.
A 100% volunteer organization, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue is the primary Search & Rescue resource for Multnomah County and works in concert with other local teams in the Columbia Gorge. To date, Multnomah County Sheriff Officer Search & Rescue has participated in over 1,500 missions for wilderness missing persons, urban missing persons, and criminal evidence searches. Members of the public can donate directly to Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue at http://mcsosar.org/donate/
"Multnomah County Search & Rescue is an all-volunteer organization with many members purchasing the equipment they carry themselves. Volunteer Search & Rescue units are always underfunded and when you need them, you really need them," Friends Project Manager Renee Tkach stressed.
"The public owes a huge debt to local search and rescue volunteers, who work tirelessly and even place their safety at risk to help make the Columbia Gorge—one of the most beautiful places in the Pacific Northwest to go for a hike or walk—a safer place to live and visit. And the weeks before summer hits is a crucial window where we can all return the favor and to say thanks to these invaluable first responders," Tkach added.
Background information
Approximately 65 search and rescue members from several agencies and organizations combed a myriad of backcountry trails south of Horsetail Falls in the weekend search for Dean. In addition to ground searches, a drone was used to aid in aerial search efforts, as well as a plane operated by the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office. Assisting organizations included:
- Washington County Sheriff’s Office Search & Rescue
- Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Search & Rescue information here or direct donation link here
- Hood River County Sheriff’s Office
- PNW Search & Rescue information or direct donation through Paypal
- Hood River Crag Rats information or direct donation here
- Portland Mountain Rescue information or donation here
- Mountain Wave Emergency Communications information or donation here
- USFS, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Facebook or Forest Service website
Multnomah County Sheriff Officer Search & Rescue (MCSOSAR) is the primary Search & Rescue resource for Multnomah County. Learn more: http://mcsosar.org/
Press contact
Burt Edwards, communications director | 703.861.8237 (Cell) | burt@gorgefriends.org (email)