Primary Specialty: CEO of BUSAR Foundation
Secondary Specialty: Preventative SAR Ranger
Quals: NREMT, SRT2, TRT2, SWF2
Matt Jernigan is a founding member of BUSAR and serves as Executive Director of the BUSAR Foundation, helping lead preventative search and rescue initiatives, operational coordination, and organizational development. Raised in East Tennessee and shaped by extensive international travel, Jernigan brings a calculated, prevention-focused mindset to both field operations and team leadership.
With more than 25 years of outdoor experience, his background includes backpacking, trail running, mountain biking, adventure racing, land navigation, and backcountry travel throughout Southern Appalachia. An EMT and Smokies 900 Miler, Jernigan has completed every trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and possesses a deep familiarity with the terrain, risks, and logistical challenges of the region.
Jernigan specializes in preventative search and rescue operations, team coordination, leadership, and field readiness, combining practical outdoor experience with strategic planning and communication. Prior to his work with BUSAR, he served as a software company executive, bringing operational structure, long-range planning, and disciplined decision-making into the organization.
Known for his steady leadership style and empathetic approach, Jernigan believes the best rescue is the one that never has to happen. His focus remains on preparation, prevention, and building systems that help keep both rescuers and the public safer in the backcountry.