CLINTON - In the case of a missing person, Tim Daugherty knows that minutes can mean the difference between a rescue and a search effort.

That's why the DeWitt County farmer and volunteer is in a hurry to form a ground search and rescue team, which could begin training this fall. He knows that at any point, one may be needed.

DeWitt County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency Coordinator Fred Zacher and the DeWitt County Board have thrown their full support behind the effort.

"We've been working on forming it for about two years," Daugherty said. "We see a need here in DeWitt County and believe that it is an important cause."

Daugherty says a ground search team could save lives in a county with several square miles of heavily wooded terrain around Clinton Lake and Weldon Springs.

"In this county, we have hunters, hikers, boaters, older people with Alzheimer's or dementia, and small children," Daugherty said. "On occasion, there comes a point where you need trained searchers in order to find the person quickly."

The team could search for things beside lost people, he said.

"We can also help law enforcement find evidence," Daugherty said. "For instance, if someone throws something out of a car, we can help with that since there are only so many police officers available."

Having a team in DeWitt County would mean one could be assembled quickly, eliminating the travel time required for one to come from a neighboring county. Currently, DeWitt County works closely with the McLean County Search and Rescue Team.

"Time is so important in these cases and if we can gather a group of volunteers on short notice and get them started, it could make a big difference to someone," Zacher said.

A trained search team is much different than a volunteer search team, Daugherty said.

A trained search team will meet with officials and gather information about the missing person or item. At that point, variables such as health concerns or weather problems are discussed.

A missing-person profile can be developed which helps the searchers build a strategy and concentrate on a specific search area.

"A lot more psychology goes into it than you might realize," Daugherty said. "We have search managers begin with assembling that information, developing a search area and strategy and then we go from there."

For example, young children may not respond to searchers when older children or teenagers may be hiding for some reason. People with dementia may be thinking in the past and not understand the situation, he added.

Daugherty said the team is looking for more volunteers.

A training session is being planned for October. Anyone interested in joining the team should call (217) 935-9596.