Delmarva Search and Rescue Looks to Make a Difference on the Shore

CORDOVA — When someone goes missing, every minute can make the difference between life and loss. Delmarva Search and Rescue, a local organization headquartered in Cordova, assists emergency services agencies in these situations “to preserve life when the odds are stacked against the victim.” The professional volunteer organization is made up of highly trained civilians who specialize in ground searches, K9 operations, mounted units, and emergency medical support.

“Our members bring hundreds of hours of training and field experience to every mission,” explained Meghan Wade, Vice President of Delmarva Search and Rescue. Each volunteer completes national certifications in search and rescue, first aid, and FEMA disaster response, with many going even further to qualify as EMTs, canine handlers, trackers, or rescue technicians.

Despite their advanced training, Delmarva Search and Rescue is not an EMS or police department. Instead, the organization works alongside those agencies when requested. “We are not directly affiliated with local EMS or other agencies through the search team, however we do have members that are also EMTs,” Wade said, “Responding as the search team, we aid the local agencies.” Their partnerships include Dover Police Department, Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Department, New Castle County Police, Delaware State Police, Maryland State Police, and Prince George’s County agencies. They have also supported the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and its Natural Resources Police. 

To maintain efficiency during emergencies, the group never self-deploys. Wade said they operate through a dedicated dispatch number that authorized agencies use to call them in when duty calls. Memorandums of understanding with state and local partners ensure those agencies know Delmarva Search and Rescue is ready when needed. “For us, this work is a calling—quietly serving in the background with one common goal: bringing someone home,” Wade said.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Delmarva Search and Rescue operates entirely out of their own pockets, minus what they can get in the form of donations. Members personally fund their own gear, travel, and advanced training. “All of us cover the total cost of individual equipment in order to volunteer,” Wade explained, all so the families they assist never see a bill.

Members meet regularly for team exercises and training classes. Even their four legged first responders receive training: horses must pass rigorous Horse & Rider Evaluations before being cleared for operations, and the team’s canines undergo extensive preparation to serve in the field.

Individuals can’t request their services directly, authorities with jurisdiction must contact them. But Delmarva Search and Rescue has assisted in numerous high-profile searches across the Eastern Shore. One recent mission in Queen Anne’s County involved locating an elderly woman with dementia, a 20-hour operation that brought together seven search teams. Thankfully, she was safely found and returned to her family. “It was a true happy ending,” Wade said.

For those looking for a worthwhile hobby, Delmarva Search and Rescue is always open to new members. Wade said anyone interested can start by contacting the team via email. “No prior experience is required—we provide all the training needed,” she noted. Volunteers can serve in many roles, from base communications to ground search, or even as handlers with canine or equine partners.

While the group hopes their skills are never needed, they recognize the importance of staying prepared. “Even here on the Eastern Shore with its mostly flat terrain, people can and do go missing,” Wade explained. Whether it’s a child, an older adult, or a tragic case involving human remains, Delmarva Search and Rescue stands ready. “If our work can bring someone home safely or provide a family with closure, we will be there to serve and support.”