GETTING HELP

I am lost or someone I know is lost. How do I get help from 15-90 Search & Rescue?

Call the Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement Department at (406) 497-1120 or 9-1-1 and notify the dispatch operator of the situation.

How long should I wait before calling 9-1-1?

Use common sense. Look at the weather conditions, time of day, health considerations, and err on the side of the missing person's safety. The command team has over 90 years of experience in search and rescue and they will respond at the proper time.

Should I wait until it is a life or death emergency?

Never wait until it is an emergency. Call at a reasonable time and let the command team make the decision on when to respond.

Are you called out at night?

Search and rescue is a 24/7/365 organization and we have responded at every hour of the day, every month of the year, and even on Christmas Day and Super Bowl Sunday.

Will you help me recover my vehicle?

We are not in the vehicle recovery business. There are private tow services available to recover your vehicle.

How much does it cost to rescue someone?

15-90 Search & Rescue has never charged for its services although often victims or their families will make a donation to help defray expenses or show their gratitude. We do have the authority to seek reimbursement for costs if a search occurs as a result of bad faith conduct. Once a "victim" called in a suicide in the mountains and went to Vegas instead. In a situation of that nature, the 15-90 would probably seek compensation.

Will search and rescue bring out a hunter's game animal if they rescue the hunter?

We never retrieve a lost hunters game. The policy is to return the hunter to Butte without the game. If a hunter causes a false call out with the intention to get help in recovering his game the search and rescue will seek compensation for all costs.