The GEOP cites as a source of authority the Georgia Emergency
Management Act of 1981, as ammended. The GEOP lists search
and rescue as Emergency Support Function 9. However, this is
in the context of emergency management, and "supports National
Response Plan ESF 9 (Urban Search and Rescue)" (PDF page 73).
Also, the plan applies only to GEMA and other state agencies,
"to provide coordination of state resources for search and
rescue operations during an emergency or disaster that is
beyond the capabilities of local governments within affected
areas."
What all this means for "routine" search and rescue operations
is unclear, but it does seem clear that GEMA is not by law the
authority for SAR in Georgia. Compare to New Mexico, where a
state agency is by law the authority.