UMASAR Profiles

Featuring some of the tenured members of the Umatilla County Search and Rescue Unit

Julie Hendren

SAR Deputy Julie Hendren has been with UMASAR since 2007.  Julie first became interested in search and rescue in the 1990's while taking a climbing course.  While on a field trip she participated in the rescue of a fellow student who had become buried in a snow cave.  Afterwards she joined Snohomish County Search and Rescue in Washington.  When Julie moved to Umatilla County joining UMASAR was just a given.

Of her search and rescue experiences, Julie says "It is the most rewarding experience I've ever been part of, to give back to my community and help those in need...I couldn't ask for a better group of people and I am so proud to be part of this group.  I will continue to show up and be part of this community until I can't anymore."

Julie's enthusiasm in volunteering for others is obvious to all who work with her.  For those thinking about volunteering for search and rescue she has some advice: "I hope you'll consider becoming part of this community.  Remember, 'This we do so others may live.' "

Bill Morris

Searcher Bill Morris joined UMASAR in 1997 and has been an active member of the team ever since. Bill is originally from Montana, but has been in Pendleton since 1975. Bill’s reputation as being a go-to guy resulted in his being named “Volunteer of the Year” in 2017.

Bill retired from the mental health profession in 2016. Bill received his initial training in this field while in the U.S. Army, where he served as a medic during the Vietnam years. Bill specialized in crisis intervention and also worked as a rehabilitative treatment tech. Bill worked for the eastern Oregon mental health facility before it was closed. He then joined Lifeways as a crisis intervention specialist and worked at the Pendleton Creek crisis center. Bill has touched the lives of many people in need over the years. He continues to do this after retirement with his commitment to UMASAR.

Bill has been a state certified field searcher for many years and is also is one of the unit’s logistic persons trained in setting up our mobile Incident Command Post. He continues to be one of the unit’s more active members and rarely misses a mission call out.

Bob English

Bob English has been a member of the UMASAR Unit for about ten years. Bob is currently on the Advisory Board and in addition to being a state certified field searcher is also trained in search management. Bob is often tasked to be Operations Chief on search missions and is the unit’s backup Incident Commander when the sergeant is unavailable.

Bob grew up in Pilot Rock and obtained an Associate’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Blue Mountain Community College. Bob worked as a surveyor for many years. He then switched professions and began working in construction. Bob formed his own surveying company called Survey One in 2005.

In addition to search and rescue Bob continues to be active in his church. He helped start the Pendleton Warming Station and served on the Board of Directors of Neighbor 2 Neighbor Pendleton when it was first created. Bob is committed to serving the citizens of Umatilla County.