Teton County, Idaho Search and Rescue

When someone in Teton Valley dials 911 from a dark trailhead or a snowy backroad, a small army of trained volunteers drops everything and heads out the door. For years, Teton County Idaho Search and Rescue’s ability to reach patients fast had been strained by deep snow, tight parking and the delays that come with maneuvering tow‑behind trailers into rugged terrain. 

The rescue organization’s call volume had nearly tripled over the last five years. Where they once responded to eight missions a year, they now respond to more than 20. Nearly half of those rescues happen in winter.

Their existing fleet of tow-behind trailers wasn’t cutting it anymore. Teton Ridge Ranch Foundation stepped up to donate $75,000 toward the purchase of a rapid-response truck. The new unit can carry two snowmobiles, volunteer rescuers and lifesaving medical equipment. It can access rugged or congested trailheads without the limitations of a tow-behind trailer. 

Now, rescue teams can respond more efficiently and reach people in need sooner and safer. 

“For our team, this gift feels deeply personal. Every one of our 34 volunteer rescuers is on call every hour of every day, ready to leave work or family at a moment’s notice, and now they can roll out with a purpose‑built platform that matches their level of commitment. The Foundation’s investment honors that service and turns generosity into something you can see, touch, and, in the most critical moments, depend on.”

“The Teton Ridge Ranch Foundation’s gift of a rapid response truck is not only an extraordinary act of generosity, it is a truly life‑saving investment in our community. Our partnership with the Teton Ridge Ranch Foundation is a powerful reminder that Mr. Tull deeply values this valley and the volunteer rescuers who respond to every call for help in the backcountry.” - Lauren Vu, Teton County Idaho Search and Rescue Foundation Executive Director