Pierce County Explorer Search and Rescue will be holding orientation meetings for new members starting Sept. 17. Volunteers of all ages are needed to help with searches, call outs, administration, recruiting, driving, equipment maintenance and communications.

ESAR supports the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department for mission assignments such as searching for lost people and for evidence at crime scenes. So far this year the unit has been requested 28 times, responding with 252 searchers. Putting in a total of 2,915 hours, this group’s efforts are valued at more than $64,000. ESAR also performs community service such as assisting with coordination of the Junior Daffodil Parade and the March of Dimes Walk America.

The unit has significant capabilities in communications, search techniques and administration/organization. It is considered to be one of the best equipped, trained and most active ground units in Washington State. Federal, state, county and city agencies use ESAR’s personnel and resources.

More ESAR is available at www.pcesar.org or (253) 752-3727. The orientation schedule is as follows:

9/17, 2 – 3:15, Wheelock Branch (Tacoma Public Library), 3722 N. 26th
St., Tacoma;

9/19, 7 – 8:15, Bonney Lake Library, 18501 90th E.;

9/27, 7 – 8:15, Graham Library, 9202 224th E.;

10/4, 7 – 8:15, Summit Library, 5107 112th E.;

10/8, 11 am – 12:15, Peninsula Library, 4424 Point Fosdick Road S.W.;

10/11, 7 – 8:15, Parkland Library, 13718 Pacific Ave. S.;

10/20, 7 – 8:15, Lakewood Library, 6300 Wildaire Road S.W.;

10/24, 7 – 8:15, South Hill Library, 15420 Meridian E.

11/3, 7 – 8:15, Sumner Library, 1116 Fryar Ave.;

11/7, 7 – 8:15, University Place Library, 3605 Bridgeport Way W.;

11/16, 7 – 8:15, Graham Library, 9202 224th E.