The RAVEN helicopter program introduces airborne radar technology to expedite missing person searches across Northern Nevada and Northern California.
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office has made a major advancement in its regional search and rescue (SAR) capabilities. The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office RAVEN (Regional Aviation Enforcement) helicopter program is now fully equipped and operational with the RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector, an advanced airborne technology designed to rapidly locate missing persons in the outdoors.
The RECCO system operates on a passive radar principle. The helicopter-mounted detector emits a radar signal, which bounces off a reflector, a small, lightweight, battery-free transponder integrated into outdoor clothing, helmets, and boots. When the signal hits a reflector, it is echoed back to the detector, guiding the RAVEN aircrew directly to the individual’s location.
First developed in the 1980s in response to avalanche rescues, RECCO technology has evolved from a localized winter rescue tool into a year-round global standard for search and rescue operations. This new helicopter-integrated system allows aircrews to scan vast areas of terrain, such as dense forests, rugged mountains, or snowfields, in a fraction of the time it takes ground teams. A search that might take hours or days on foot can now be completed from the air in minutes.
“The addition of the RECCO helicopter system is a significant step forward for search and rescue across our region,” said Sheriff Darin Balaam. “As just the 11th organization in the United States and the 54th worldwide to deploy this life-saving aerial technology, we’re investing in capabilities that significantly narrow the window of time it takes to find someone who is lost or injured, ultimately saving lives. This technology strengthens our commitment to providing the highest level of service to our community and regional partners.”
The RAVEN program will provide RECCO-enabled SAR coverage primarily throughout Northern Nevada and Northern California, encompassing the challenging terrain of the Sierra Nevada mountains. This aerial capability will directly supplement the multitudes of regional search and rescue professionals who are already trained and highly proficient with RECCO’s handheld detectors.
To maximize the effectiveness of this new life-saving technology, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office strongly encourages residents and visitors to utilize RECCO reflector technology. Whether skiing, snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking, or backcountry camping, carrying or wearing gear equipped with a RECCO reflector ensures you are searchable to both air and ground crews. Many outdoor brands inherently build these reflectors into their gear, and stand-alone reflectors can easily be attached to backpacks or helmets.
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office RAVEN program looks forward to assisting its regional partners in utilizing this tool to provide rapid, effective, and coordinated search and rescue operations throughout the Sierra Nevada.
For more information on how the technology works and to find RECCO-equipped gear, visit recco.com.
