Standing as a united front to the power of government likely helped search and rescue (SAR) volunteers across B.C. secure $18.6-million to fund their critical efforts over the next three years.
Read more: South Columbia SAR: Help us secure stable and long-term funding
Read more: Grand opening for new SAR base in Fruitvale
“We (SAR members across B.C.) were, of course, very disappointed when the initial budget came out and there was nothing in it about us,” President Mike Hudson from South Columbia SAR told the Trail Times.
“Teams all over the province not only unified, but the public came out and supported us in a big way as well as radio shows, TV spots, media pod casts, social media and newspapers such as yourselves, and the letters, emails and phone calls of support to local MLAs and elected government officials,” he added.
“All that support and the voices of over 2,500 volunteers and over 80 SAR teams definitely had an impact on the government.”
This funding will help the BC Search and Rescue Association (BC SARA) and ground SAR groups bolster training, and provide administrative support as well as equipment renewals.
“The funding is given to BC SARA to handle, as was done in the previous three years,” Hudson explained. “Members of BC SARA who are SAR members, police, fire, ambulance and government officials, came up with a formula to make the funding fair across the province. This formula takes into account what each team can provide to their community and their fellow neighbouring teams.”
Money will also be directed into province-wide programs called Adventure Smart and CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management). Hudson says the two programs are vital, as one offers accident prevention tips for all British Columbians, and the latter provides a critical lifeline for SAR volunteers.
“Adventure Smart is geared to prevent incidents and accidents by offering pre-trip planning and tips of essentials, what to do if you get lost and the hug-a-tree program,” Hudson explained. “We have used the (CISM) service, as well as many others, after traumatic incidents or if we locate a subject that has become deceased.”
Locating a deceased person and having to recover the body can be very traumatic, depending on the situation or circumstances of the death and conditions, he continued.
“Often the public thinks the BC Coroners Service or RCMP recover these individuals, but this isn’t true and, in most cases, it’s SAR volunteers who do this task,” he said.
“Not only the recoveries, but the stress of searches after multiple days and not being able to find clues, or our subject, can be traumatic. There is no closure, (we ask) could we have done more or did we miss something. This service is essential to what we do, to keep all of us healthy.”
As the province’s funding announcement was made just a few days ago, Hudson says the team is only beginning to identify and prioritize needs.
“Up until a few days ago we were unsure there would be funding,” he said. “So now we have to begin the process of planning out our next three years … over the last three years, South Columbia received close to $54,000 a year from the previous grant, which helped us build our new building and secure a new truck and command trailer vital to our operations,” Hudson added.
“Now as we move forward, our focus will be back on the individuals of SC SAR, what we need as a group, and how can we continue to build our abilities.”
newsroom@trailtimes.ca
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