ABOUT US

The Upper Valley Wilderness Response Team (UVWRT) is a volunteer search and rescue (SAR) team serving Vermont and New Hampshire. We assist local, state, and federal agencies in locating missing persons in wilderness areas—responding day or night, year-round.

Founded in 1995 at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine, UVWRT became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2019 to meet the growing need for trained SAR teams in the region.

Our members are trained to operate in remote environments for up to 24 hours without resupply. Many have backgrounds in emergency medical services, technical rescue, and advanced backcountry skills. We are ready to deploy at a moment’s notice.

In addition to field operations, we offer public education on wilderness safety and preparedness.

UVWRT is a member of the New Hampshire White Mountains Search and Rescue Working Group and the Vermont Search and Rescue Association, and we regularly collaborate with New England K-9 Search and Rescue. Our team responds to requests from New Hampshire Fish and Game, Vermont State Police, and other public safety agencies.

team leadership

    • Tim Canavan Three-year term to expire in February 2027

    • Scott Carpenter Three-year term to expire in February 2027

    • Mike Garcia Three-year term to expire in February 2028

    • Eric Lindgren Three-year term to expire in March 2029

    • Dr. Tom Trimarco Three-year term to expire in February 2028

    • President Eric Bivona

    • Vice President Scott Roy

    • Secretary Chris Northrop

    • Treasurer Eric Lindgren

    • Team Leader Eric Bivona

    • Executive Officer Scott Roy

    • Safety Officers Em McClure, Mike Garcia

    • Training Officer Training Committee

    • Medical Officer Dr. Tom Trimarco

    • Dispatch Officer Mike Garcia

    • Treasurer Eric Lindgren

    • Secretary Chris O’Reilly

    • Equipment Officers Ebben Whitehair, Aaron Dover

    • Drone Team Officer Jennifer Hotaling

our Partners