The Utah Division of Emergency Management and the Governor's Office of Outdoor Recreation are running a campaign to promote the Utah Search and Rescue Assistance (USARA) program. USARA cards are available for Utah residents and visitors who enjoy the many recreational areas in the state. Revenue from these cards and direct donations provides support to search and rescue teams statewide for training and equipment and for reimbursement of rescue costs on behalf of victims who purchased the cards.

The campaign will run until July 31st, 2022. We are seeking earned media coverage, including stories, articles, interviews, and other content, to educate the public and increase awareness of this program.Utah is known worldwide for its unique environment, beautiful national parks, and many recreational activities available for outdoor enthusiasts. With outdoor recreation comes risk, and the USARA card program intends to provide peace of mind for individuals and families who experience unexpected events and need to be rescued from Utah's backcountry.

The program promotes preparedness and caution when hiking, hunting, snowmobiling, and enjoying many other activities in the outdoors.USARA cards, in electronic form, can be purchased at rescue.utah.gov by Utah residents, domestic visitors, and foreign nationals. Cards are available for either a one-year or five-year period. A family card is available for a purchaser, spouse, and children aged 21 or younger, covering each family member.Those seeking to support Utah's search and rescue teams without purchasing a card, may also donate at rescue.utah.gov. 

Funds gathered through the USARA program assist in covering costs of resources to support the calls for help - this includes planes, helicopters, the transport of rescuers, and equipment to rescue an individual. The USARA card has been described as another piece of "safety equipment" that can financially protect an individual when an emergency occurs.We have individuals available for interviews, statements, and other information regarding the program.

Learn more about the program at rescue.utah.gov. For more information and scheduling, contact Division of Emergency Management Public Information Officer, Wade Mathews at wmathews@utah.gov.

Media Contact
Company Name: Utah Division of Emergency Management
Contact Person: Wade Mathews
Email: Send Email
Address:4315 S 2700 W 2nd Floor, Suite 2200
City: Taylorsville
State: Utah
Country: United States
Website: rescue.utah.gov