British Columbia Search and Rescue Association

The British Columbia Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA) is a nonprofit organization representing the community of unpaid professional ground search and rescue (GSAR) volunteers across British Columbia, Canada. Established as a collective body, BCSARA advocates for and supports the 78 search and rescue groups situated throughout the province, providing a unified voice for the volunteer ground search and rescue community.

Mission and Role

BCSARA's mission is to offer advocacy, support for funding, and governance guidance to the volunteer GSAR groups that operate across British Columbia. Serving a critical public safety function, these volunteers are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, ready to conduct search and rescue operations in often challenging terrain and weather conditions. Their efforts aim to locate and rescue lost or distressed individuals in backcountry, urban, and wilderness environments, relying on their expertise, training, and equipment donated or supported by the community.

Volunteer Ground Search and Rescue in British Columbia

Ground Search and Rescue in BC relies entirely on volunteers. These volunteers contribute their time and specialized skills without remuneration, demonstrating high levels of commitment to public safety. They support emergency services such as the police and BC Emergency Health Services and assist in community emergencies, including evacuations.

Volunteers may receive training in various disciplines including swiftwater rescue and helicopter longline operations, often coordinated through local search and rescue groups and supported by training programs such as those offered by the Justice Institute of British Columbia. To maintain operational readiness and safety, GSAR groups follow policies including winter response protocols that address avalanche risks and night vision imaging pilot projects to enhance search capabilities.

Public Engagement and Safety

BCSARA promotes public awareness on trip and outdoor safety to reduce the number of search and rescue incidents. They emphasize the importance of trip planning and preparedness through initiatives like AdventureSmart and the "Three Ts" — telling someone your plan, knowing your limits, and carrying the right survival essentials.

Community members interested in volunteering are encouraged to connect with their local GSAR group through BCSARA to receive appropriate training and engage in meaningful service.

Organizational Information

• Registration: BCSARA is registered as a nonprofit organization under the business number 862999422RR0001.
• Coverage: The association coordinates and supports search and rescue activities across the diverse regions of British Columbia through its network of 78 affiliated GSAR groups.
• Collaboration: BCSARA works in partnership with provincial authorities and emergency management agencies to ensure effective and safe search and rescue operations.

By supporting and representing volunteer GSAR teams province-wide, BCSARA plays a vital role in enhancing public safety and saving lives in British Columbia’s rugged and often remote environments.

Note: This article does not include direct contact details per user request.

[1] https://bcsara.com [2] https://www.sarbc.org [3] https://www.youtube.com/@Bcsara [4] https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/local-emergency-programs/volunteers/search-and-rescue [5] https://www.jibc.ca/areas-of-study/emergency-management/search-and-rescue-sar