Thurston County Washington Explorer Search and Rescue

Matt Allen has been with Thurston County Washington Explorer Search and Rescue for 12 years. He joined as a 14 year old high school freshman, and stayed the course throughout high school, college, and into the early stages of starting a career.  Being a part of TCWESAR has not only opened tremendous doors in his life, but has played an integral role.  He works full time as an aviation parts overhaul technician and millwright, but when duty calls, he chooses to answer the call to be able to make a difference in someone's life in a moment of severe crisis. 

Being a member of TCWESAR means being a member of the primary ground search and rescue team in Thurston County. Our mission at the core comes from our motto "So Others May Live".  The job is often far from glamorous like you see on TV.  We'll dig through the rubble of burnt down buildings searching for evidence, handle recovery missions for the deceased, level acres of brush just to find a firearm, and drive several hours in the middle of the night just to get turned around right after arriving at our destination to begin a night search. It isn't all bad though by any means. With every dim mission there is always another with a potentially beautiful outcome. The kind of outcome that brings wholesome joy most people never have a chance to experience. For every evidence search, there is a missing person search as well.