In October 2002, several members of the Lower Adirondack Search and Rescue (LASAR) were on what started out as a normal routine training exercise. That is, until they came upon the body of a fifty-nine-year-old Lake Luzerne woman. The grisly discovery was purely accidental, as LASAR was not part of the official search. Unfortunately, similar unpleasant discovers are not uncommon for this, or any other Search and Rescue team.

"We try to be optimistic, but sometimes we know that a person will not be found alive," says Larry Gordon, the current President of LASAR. "We are an outdoor wilderness search group that follows orders, and hope to find people before they are dead."

LASAR is one in several groups that are a branch of the New York State Federation. The Federation is made up of non-profit organizations that make themselves available to any official agencies that need assistant in locating lost or missing persons throughout New York State. The Federation operates by means of a "call-out" system, in which any local Search and Rescue team may be contacted and utilized as an extra resource in a particular case.

This volunteer organization got its roots in 1990, when a forest-fire warden named Jim Cranker, along with his brother, founded the group in Warrensburgh, NY. Forest rangers were in need of additional manpower to assist on searches, and LASAR seemed to be just what they were looking for. LASAR really got its footing in 1993, when it became a true independent team with specialized skills and training in search-and-rescue. Since then, they've built a solid reputation of being ready and prepared to work when called upon.

The LASAR branch is based in Warrensburgh, and currently has a membership of 65-70 people. "We are the largest [volunteer] rescue team in New York State," says Gordon. They cover several areas; from the Mohawk River to Indian Lake, from Newcomb to Ticonderoga, and down the Vermont line. The team operates under the NYS Forest Rangers, and is usually called in when they are in need of additional and/or specialized help.

"We have 2 levels of membership," explains Gordon. "General members and Crewchis." Crewchis are members that are certified by the Department of Environmental Conservation.

LASAR is split up into different teams according to their specialty. There's a technical group that deals with computers and communications, a winter team that is trained for the winter months, and even a dog team with specially trained dogs who can sniff out cadavers.

Joining the LASAR team is not a difficult task. Anyone can join at anytime during the year. The only requirement is that you are at least 18-years-old, certified in both CPR and First Aid skills, and you are adept to the outdoors and all it has to offer. Though LASAR has members that are firemen, policemen, EMTs, and 46ers (those that have accomplished the ambitious task of climbing all 46 mountain peaks in the Adirondacks), you most certainly do not have to be a professional mountain climber to join up.

"If a new member is inexperienced and willing to try, we are willing to help them out," says Gordon. New members receive extensive background training and are matched up with a mentor to keep in contact with. In addition to training, all members have thorough background checks done prior to being admitted into the team.

LASAR meets monthly, the second Tuesday of every month at Warrensburgh High School.

For more information, contact:
Lower Adirondack SAR
PO Box 655
Warrensburg, NY 12885

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