All-Volunteer Technical Rescue • Serving Since 1987
Van Buren County Rescue Squad
When an emergency goes beyond a standard response — swift water, a trapped driver, a lost hiker, a collapsed trench — our trained volunteers answer the call for Van Buren County and surrounding areas.
In an emergency, always call 911. · Important local numbers →
What We Do
Specialized rescue, close to home
Our volunteers train year-round in technical rescue disciplines that most rural departments can’t staff on their own, working alongside local fire, EMS, law enforcement, and emergency management across the region.
Swift Water Rescue
Swiftwater-trained rescuers for rivers, creeks, and flooded low-water crossings.
Rescue Boat Operations
Boat crews for water rescues, searches, and recoveries on area lakes and rivers.
Dive Rescue & Recovery
Underwater search, rescue, and recovery, supported by an underwater ROV.
High Angle Rope Rescue
Rope systems and patient packaging for bluffs, ravines, and hard-to-reach places.
Auto Extrication
Heavy rescue tools to stabilize, lift, and cut vehicles to free trapped patients.
Trench & Confined Space
Shoring and rescue techniques for trench collapses and confined space emergencies.
Wilderness Search & Rescue
Ground search teams for missing persons in the woods and rugged Ozark terrain.
Thermal Drone Search
A state-of-the-art thermal drone that finds people by their body heat, day or night.
Hazmat & Command Support
Hazardous materials support and incident command for large, multi-agency responses.
1987
Year the squad was founded
100%
Volunteer — no paid staff
10
Rescue capabilities
24/7
Ready when called
Drone Technology
Eyes in the sky. Heat-seeking search.
When someone is lost, every minute counts. Our squad operates a state-of-the-art thermal imaging drone that can pick up the heat signature of a missing person — in the dark, across open fields, along riverbanks, and in rugged terrain where ground teams move slowly.
From hundreds of feet up, our trained drone team can search ground in minutes that would take a ground team hours, streaming live video back to the command post so searchers are sent exactly where they’re needed.
Thermal imaging
Detects body heat day or night, when people are hardest to see.
Live video to command
Real-time aerial view for incident commanders and search teams.
Search mapping
Flights are planned and tracked on digital maps to cover every sector.
Rapid deployment
Launches from our response vehicles within minutes of arrival.
Who We Are
Neighbors helping neighbors
The Van Buren County Rescue Squad was started in 1987 by county residents who saw the need for rescue services that could reach every corner of the county. With the full support of the Van Buren County Fire Chiefs Association, the squad grew into a non-profit organization, incorporated in 2002.
Our mission is to provide competent and caring aid to the victims of an emergency — saving lives, delivering quality emergency services, and providing community education and safety.
Volunteers Wanted
Ready to serve your community?
We’re looking for dedicated people 18 and older who are members of their district fire department or bring specialty rescue skills. We provide the training — you bring the commitment.
Latest Updates
Follow the squad on Facebook
Searches, trainings, community events, and squad news are posted first on our Facebook page.
Support Us
Your support keeps us ready
Training, equipment, boats, and fuel are paid for by community donations and local sponsors. All donations and sponsorships are tax deductible.
