Beyond the Call: Volunteer Sacrifices and the Radios Powering Search & Rescue Missions in the Field
This episode of 'Radios in Action' by Icom features a conversation between Tim Price, Inside Sales Manager at Icom America, and Nathan Lorance, a 14-year veteran volunteer with King County Search & Rescue in Washington State. They discuss how approximately 600 unpaid volunteers conduct 150–200 missions annually, logging over 49,000 hours and saving taxpayers an estimated $8 million per year. The episode highlights how VHF radios serve as the critical communication backbone in areas without cell coverage, and explores the personal sacrifices volunteers make in service to their communities.
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Key takeaways
King County Search & Rescue relies on roughly 600 volunteers who complete 150–200 missions per year, contributing 49,000+ hours and saving taxpayers an estimated $8 million annually.
VHF radios are the primary and most reliable communication tool in rugged, cell-dead terrain, enabling coordination between ground teams, command posts, and aircraft.
Search and rescue volunteers function as highly trained emergency responders despite being unpaid, and personal sacrifices—such as missed family holidays—underscore the human cost of the work.
Search and rescue missions are often measured in minutes, where clear communication can mean the difference between life and death. In King County, Washington, search and rescue operations are powered primarily by volunteers—about 600 individuals alongside 16 sheriff’s deputies. Collectively, these volunteers respond to 150–200 missions per year, contribute more than 49,000 hours annually, and save taxpayers an estimated $8 million each year in donated labor and avoided costs.
But when missions unfold in rugged terrain without cell service, how do search and rescue operators ensure coordination, safety, and success?
Welcome to Radios in Action, brought to you by Icom. In the latest episode, Tim Price, Inside Sales Manager at Icom America, sits down with Nathan Lorance of King County Search & Rescue. Together, they explore the sacrifices of volunteers, the indispensable role of radios, and the realities behind search and rescue missions that the public rarely sees.
The main topics of discussion…
- Volunteers as Professionals: While unpaid, search and rescue volunteers undergo extensive training and certification, functioning as highly skilled emergency responders.
- The Lifeline of Radios: In areas where cell phones fail, VHF radios remain the most reliable form of communication, enabling coordination between ground teams, command posts, and even aircraft during multi-agency operations.
- Sacrifices Beyond the Call: From Thanksgiving dinners replaced with fast-food cheeseburgers to families waiting anxiously at trailheads, the personal commitment of volunteers underscores the human cost—and value—of this lifesaving work.
Nathan Lorance is a long-serving volunteer with King County Search & Rescue in Washington State. With more than 14 years of experience, he has worn multiple hats, ranging from field leader to organizational administrator. Lorance’s expertise spans operational logistics, communications infrastructure, and mission leadership. His dedication, informed in part by personal experience with Alzheimer’s in his family, underscores his deep empathy and commitment to serving the community.
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