ISAR - Iredell Search and Rescue

12/09/2025

Sunday, Dec 7, the ISAR team participated in the Harmony Christmas Parade. As always, an incredible annual event both in the number of participants as well as spectator turnout! We always feel privileged to be a part of it!

12/09/2025

Busy weekend for the ISAR team. Began Saturday, Dec 6 participating in the Troutman Christmas Parade. Great turnout as always! Saturday evening, we hosted our annual Christmas Party for members & guests. Lifetime Achievement Recognition was presented to retired Team Commander Dean Hutchins, who served over 40 years with the ICRS. The 2025 Training Award was presented to Tony Disher and 2025 Member of the Year was presented to Nikki Chapman!

11/09/2025

Iredell Search & Rescue held a Mock Search Saturday, Nov 8. Utilizing about 150 acres graciously provided by an Iredell County land owner, 9 ISAR members mobilized in the early morning fog and by day's end, the sun shined brightly and all 3 search scenarios ended in success. The K9 team located a missing child, the ground team located a missing elderly man and the drone team located a missing woman scenario. The team had a great time in fellowship and went home tired feeling very good about the day! As Team Leader ISAR 1 said, "this effort really exceeded my expectations"!

10/13/2025

ISAR Operations Section Chief Nikki Chapman, ISAR member Danny Negron and ICRS member Davin Vesey attended an Advanced Wilderness, Ropes & Rigging class this past weekend. The 3 day class was hosted by Western Piedmont CC in Burke County. The course will add to the rescuer's skills and knowledge in Wilderness Search & Rescue by refreshing existing skill sets & introducing advance skills in search technique, lightweight rope rescue, back country wilderness patient care, bushcraft & survival skills. Great instructors and a wonderful opportunity to network with like-minded people and share ideas and knowledge! The training and learning never stops!!!

10/03/2025

Members of ISAR participated in the Statesville National Night Out last evening. The weather was absolutely beautiful. Vendors began setting up between 4:00 and 5:00 pm with the event scheduled for 5:30 - 7:30 pm. Great turnout with lots of handshaking, smiles and explanation of what and how the various entities represented function/connect within the community! As usual, K9 Nina was the big hit with both the kids and the adults!

09/27/2025

Tho this is not specifically ISAR related, I felt it important to share. I spent most of Oct 2024 with this group. It seems like just yesterday! It was one of the most impactful events of my life! Reaffirmed my faith in people helping people. We ended each morning's briefing with a prayer and a reminder of Isaiah 6:8....... look it up!

09/18/2025

Had a great turnout last evening for our Sept Monthly Business/Training Meeting. Our training consisted of being given a map with a segment highlighted and a Form 204 detailing assignments. They then went outside and completed grid searches with their "tracker" turned on in Caltopo so we could watch them back at Command. They did an excellent job as seen on the map, leaving no area uncovered. Any Operation Chief would love to see this type of coverage in an actual incident. Great job, team!

09/14/2025

Members of ISAR spent Saturday morning in training on the assembly/disassembly of the County's Emergency DLX Shelters. The versatile tents can be utilized for a variety on support needs, ranging from a First Aid Station at events & festivals such as the County Fair and Hot Air Balloon Festival to supporting the County's needs in emergency situations. The training was led by EMS Captain Lyndon Walker at the Public Safety Complex on Bristol Drive. A great morning of training, sunshine and the building new friendships and relationships!! Iredell County Emergency Management Iredell County Emergency Medical Service

09/11/2025

Pretty much says it all........

Today, we pause to honor the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and to reflect on the extraordinary courage shown by first responders, volunteers, and everyday citizens who answered the call in our nation’s darkest hours.

For the fire service, 9/11 is more than a date in history—it is a solemn reminder of sacrifice, service, and the responsibility we carry every day to protect our communities. We remember the 343 FDNY firefighters, along with the countless police officers, EMTs, and civilians who gave everything that day.

As we move forward, we continue their legacy by training, leading, and serving with the same courage and commitment. Let us never forget.

09/05/2025

08/28/2025

Bill Nesslar and Nikki Chapman had the privilege of representing ISAR at the Gary Sinise (aka Lieutenant Dan from Forest Grump) Foundation Grant Announcement today at Bethlehem Fire Department. They were joined by Gibson Jenkins, Deputy Chief of ICRS and Justin Pruitt, President of the North Carolina Search & Rescue Advisory Council. Iredell County Search and Rescue (Drone), Bethlehem Fire Rescue (UTV), North Catawba Fire Rescue (Boat), and Burke County Rescue Squad (Rope Rescue Equipment) were recognized and received grant funds for the equipment. A total of almost $150,000.00 was contributed by donors like American Tire Distributors working with the foundation, so please support ATD and other donors that contribute to our communities. Special thanks to Bethlehem Fire Rescue for hosting the event!

08/25/2025

Two ISAR members (Bill Nesslar & Nikki Chapman) had the opportunity this past weekend (Aug 22 - 24, 2025) to attend an Aquatic Incident Management course held in Rowan County. It taught and exposed them to the various aspects of water rescue & recovery. Interestingly, it combined many of the same "tools" such as Caltopo mapping, grid searching and navigational skills required in land searches. It was a great opportunity to make new friends and network with fellow responders from neighboring counties. The class consisted of both classroom time and "on the water" hands on experience. A big shout out to SKS Solutions LLC as they presented the material and really connected well with those attending!