Be 307 Aware

02/24/2026

We're pleased this story has a happy ending!
This incident is a reminder of how quickly conditions can change in the back country. Please avoid riding alone, let someone know your plans, and carry emergency equipment such as fire-starting tools, satellite-based SOS or emergency locator devices, and/or get a FRS/GMRS capable radio and program it to the 307 channel, as these preparations can save your life!

🚨PRESS RELEASE🚨

Albany County, Wyoming

On February 23, 2026, at approximately 6:15 p.m., the Albany County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an overdue snowmobiler in the Widow Maker / Medicine Bow Peak area. Deputies learned the individual had gone riding alone from the Green Rock Picnic Area earlier that day. A concerned witness later discovered a snowmobile stuck near Widow Maker Peak with no rider present and footprints leading away from the machine and reported the situation after realizing the rider was overdue.
Deputies worked to gather all available information, including pinging the individual’s cellphone, which showed a location in Carbon County, Wyoming. Due to the circumstances, ACSO activated the Albany County Sheriff's Search & Rescue and Intermountain Flight & Ambulance Services. The snowmobiler was located near the area where the machine had been found and transported to Ivinson Memorial Hospital, where they were treated for hypothermia and exhaustion.

We are grateful to the witness who spoke up and to the deputies, search and rescue volunteers, medical crews, and Laramie/Albany County Records and Communications who worked together to bring this person home safely. This incident is a reminder of how quickly conditions can change in the back country. Please avoid riding alone, let someone know your plans, and carry emergency equipment such as fire-starting tools, satellite-based SOS or emergency locator devices, and/or get a FRS/GMRS capable radio and program it to the 307 channel as these preparations can save lives.

For information on the Be307Aware channel: https://hls.wyo.gov/307

02/10/2026

The low-number Search and Rescue plates are available on this auction site! All the proceeds go towards the State Search and Rescue fund. Even if you don't get a low-number plate, each county will have these plates available!

02/09/2026

8 Feb 2026 at 1720 hrs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Multi-Jurisdictional Response Agencies Conduct Successful Avalanche Search and Rescue Training.



Saratoga, Carbon County, Wyoming

7 Feb 2026 0900 hrs

Multiple regional first‑response agencies partnered to conduct a comprehensive FULL SCALE EXECISE(FSE) in Avalanche Search and Rescue (SAR).

This FSE was designed to enhance readiness, coordination, and lifesaving capabilities during winter emergency operations using Be 307 Aware as their communications plan.

Participating organizations included the Carbon County Avalanche Operations Team, Carbon County SAR; East Division, Albany County Search and Rescue, Albany County Sheriff’s Office, and Intermountain Health. This joint exercise provided an opportunity for responders to strengthen interagency communication and coordination, refining critical avalanche rescue skills in a realistic mountain environment.

Training Activities

Responders began the day with a briefing at the Upper Parking Lot on Wyoming Highway 130, in the Snowy Range Mountains of Carbon County. Interoperable communications were established by all teams using BE 307 AWARE.

The responders conducted hands‑on avalanche beacon location. This training was used to refresh search fundamentals and ensure operational proficiency. Teams then transitioned to the mountain training zone to complete practical shoveling and probing drills, reinforcing standardized avalanche recovery techniques.

Full-Scale Avalanche Scenario

After the hands on training was completed, these agencies collaborated on a simulated avalanche incident involving three victims:

· Two fully buried, unresponsive individuals
· One responsive individual with suspected arm and leg fractures

Responders divided into coordinated search teams using avalanche beacons to quickly locate all buried subjects. Once located, teams executed efficient probing and excavation procedures. Medical responders immediately initiated CPR on the two unresponsive victims while stabilizing the third victim’s injuries for safe transport.

Rescue and Evacuation

All three simulated patients were successfully packaged for evacuation, including securing the injured responsive victim into a rescue sled. Responders then transported the patients to the designated helicopter landing zone for mock air evacuation procedures, completing the full SAR workflow from initial discovery through removal.

Strengthening Regional Readiness

This exercise underscored the commitment of all participating agencies to maintaining high readiness for avalanche and winter‑related emergencies. By training together under realistic field conditions, responders improved coordination, reinforced shared protocols, and strengthened the region’s capacity to respond swiftly and effectively to real‑world incidents.

For more information about regional search and rescue operations, please contact your local Search and Rescue team to volunteer.

Great work by Trevor Vorn and Dusty Buffington for pulling this all together.

Special thanks to Pat Waliser, for relaying the information and photos.

Photo credit to the Carbon County Responders participating in the FSE.

Posted by: Jim Mitchell;
Campbell County EM & HS Coordinator

02/06/2026

6 Feb 2026 at 1512 Hrs
From the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security
An Overview

Wyoming 307 Program to Aid Search and Rescue Efforts
***Be 307 Aware*** Initiated in January of 2021, by Fire Chief Pat Waliser of Saratoga VFD and Jim Mitchell; then Sublette County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Coordinator.

Whether it’s a snowmobile breakdown in the Snowy Range or a hiking accident in the Tetons, it’s not uncommon for people to encounter difficulties while experiencing the great outdoors.
Wyoming Search and Rescue (SAR) personnel conduct an average of more than 300 missions annually across the state for those who become lost or stranded.

The most common missions involve searches for people who were hunting, hiking, snowmobiling, skiing/snowboarding, or they were motor vehicle related. Although several of the people rescued were from out of state, a higher number of them were Wyoming residents.

No matter how small or large the situation might be, SAR volunteers provide year round assistance to help get people home safely, and a new publicly accessible radio channel has been designed to expedite rescue efforts.

Collaborative efforts between WOHS, the Wyoming SAR Council and the Wyoming All Hazards Association began in January 2021, and Radio Channel 307 was officially launched later that year.
The channel allows for direct communication between SAR and parties in need of assistance.

In the event of a situation, backcountry recreationalists using a Family Radio Service or General Mobile Radio Service (FRS/GMRS) are encouraged to program their radio to UHF 462.6125 Privacy Code 85.4 or Channel 3 and Privacy code 07 (307).

It’s important to note that the 307 Channel is not a 911 channel, so emergency situations will need to initially be declared through other means such as a Satellite Personal Locator Beacon. The 307 Channel is not actively monitored by SAR until a search is in progress.

However, once SAR personnel enters the search area, efforts will be made to contact the lost/stranded party over the 307 Channel in order to obtain location details, medical information, etc.

***When you do find yourself in a situation of distress, and if you have a GMRS/FRS radio, you can go to Channel 3, Privacy code 07 and stay in a monitor mode. This will save your battery and when rescuers and SAR members are close, in the search area, they will may be boradcasting on 307, as they try to locate you. You then can alert them that they are close and request any special needs that they can have brought to you.***
JCM Campbell County EM & HS

09/04/2025

4 Sept 2025 at 1054 hrs

Getting the word out!!!
Russ Dalgarn Converse County Wy Emergency Management Coordinator AND driver of Race Cars, flying and going really fast!

Way to go Russ!!!

07/31/2025

31 July 2025

Look close to the area behind the rear wheel!!!

06/10/2025

10 June 2025 at 1744 hrs

Remember to know where Channel 3 Privacy code 7 is in your GMRS/FRS Radio.

02/13/2025

12 Feb 2025 @ 2025 hrs

Be 307 Aware has been notified by Mike Estes; Teton County Wyoming SAR Coordinator, of a successful SAR mission using GMRS/FRS Channel 307.

On Feb 4th 2025 Teton SAR was able use 307 to communicate with a snowmobiler that had become stuck in Hill Creek Canyon of Western Teton County Wyoming.

More details to follow...

Thanks Mike!!!

Anybody out there using 307 in a successful mission please contact me. We'd love to post your stories.

02/23/2024

23 Feb 2024 at 1258 hrs

Natrona County Wyoming places a Be 307 Aware sign at the South Bighorn/ Redwall Backcountry Byway loop. Way to go Natrona!!!

You may see some new Be 307 Aware signs up around Natrona County!

These signs are a reminder of the Be 307 Aware program here in Wyoming. If Search and Rescue is looking for you, they may be able to reach you directly on commercially available hand held FRS/GMRS radios. The Be 307 Aware program allows lost individuals with these radios to turn to CH. 3 and Privacy Code 07 for help from first responders. Search and Rescue Teams will attempt to contact you there, and work to get to you faster.

These types of radios are often carried by the public to talk with each other while recreating in the outdoors. Consider adding one to your pack if you don't already have one!

09/14/2023

14 Sept 2023 at 1145 hrs.

Be 307 Aware was notified of a successful training scenario that Natrona County SAR had initiated and participated in last week.

Great to see that this concept is continually proven in the field.

WAY TO GO NCSAR!!!

On Thursday, Sept. 7th, Natrona County Search and Rescue personnel undertook a field training scenario into the night searching for two missing individuals. The subjects were located safely within two miles from their vehicle. Search teams comprised of Search and Rescue Ground Team Members, Search and Rescue K9's, and Search and Rescue Trackers were utilized in the Training Scenario. Additionally, SAR Team Members monitored and called out on the "307" radio channel.

The victims heard their radio calls while SAR Teams were still 1.23mi away AND nearly 650ft in elevation below them! Efficiently using ground teams and communications with the victims on channel "307" the scenario was resolved likely hours earlier than it would be without having direct communication with the missing individuals.

If you have not heard of the Be 307 Aware channel yet check out more on their page and simply take any FRS/GMRS radio and tune to Ch3 & Code7 and searchers may be monitoring and calling out there.

Thank you to all of our SAR Volunteers and our 2 volunteer victims who worked hard training to serve their neighbors in such a unique and challenging way. Without their dedication the Search and Rescue program in Natrona would not be as great as it is!

06/13/2023

13 June 2023 0920 hrs

Thanks Routt County SAR, glad to see GMRS / FRS getting used in SAR OPS.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=650348963804128&id=100064870891013&sfnsn=mo&mibextid=6aamW6

05/19/2023

19 May 2023 from 1119 hrs today.

Be 307 Aware signage was posted at the Middle Piney Forest Boundary Kiosk. Just a reminder, if you have and are using a GMRS/FRS Radio, practice setting your unit to Channel 3, privacy code 7 or 462.6125 and PL tone of 85.4.

When you need assistance, go to monitor mode and we will come looking for you on that channel.