PRRD Search and Rescue Teams Activities 2014 and Beyond
Primary Responsibility Tasked with supporting Land and Inland Water search and rescue in the Peace River areas. Secondary Responsibility Assisting with implementing evacuation alerts and orders. Radio communications during emergency events. Chetwynd Search and Rescue North Peace Search and Rescue South Peace Search and Rescue Tumbler Ridge Search and Rescue
We do not work on our own, but are activated by one of the following: R.C.M.P. B.C. Ambulance Local Fire Departments Emergency Coordination Center (E.M.B.C.) Joint Rescue Coordination Centre - Local Government
We are Emergency Management B.C. recognized, professional volunteer search and rescue groups, and trained to provincial standards of the Emergency Management Division of the Justice Institute of B.C.
Teams and Commitment during 2014 in the PRRD Chetwynd Search and Rescue = 500 training and tasks hours, 20 members. North Peace Search and Rescue (Fort St John) = 3,300 training and task hours, 38 members. South Peace Search and Rescue (Dawson Creek) = 1,200 training and task hours, 46 members. Tumbler Ridge Search and Rescue = 1,000 training and task hours, 15 members.
Task numbers by Area Team 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Total Chetwynd 5 3 14 6 11 3 37 North Peace South Peace Tumbler Ridge 13 18 23 10 20 15 86 12 7 7 6 8 5 33 4 4 8 2 13 7 34 Total tasks - 190
Provincial Statistics SEARCH AND RESCUE INCIDENTS 1991/92 TO 2013/14 LAND INLAND WATER AIR OCEAN 1400 1200 *Note 2003 Firestorm 1000 800 600 400 200 0 91/92 92/93 93/94 94/95 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14
Provincial Statistics 2000 SEARCH AND RESCUE RESULTS 1991/92 TO 2013/14 1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 NOT LOCATED LOCATED DECEASED LOCATED ALIVE 800 600 400 200 0 91/92 92/93 93/94 94/95 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14
Costs Current State of SAR in the Peace - Increasing volunteer turnover, means a new group of volunteers requires training each year. - A formalized occupational health and safety program mean more training and equipment requirements for all members. - Increasing public expectations that individuals can go further into the backcountry and that someone will assist them if they are lost or injured. - Increasing accountability means more administrative and record keeping requirements. - Technology improvements. - Increased call volume. = - Decreased funding reimbursement by Emergency Management BC for responding to tasks. - Decreased access to no fee courses and training.
Training 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 North Provincial
Operationally available resources for 24/7 tasks: Search Management Ground Search and Rescue teams GSAR lost person Rope Rescue Swift Water Avalanche Class D External Transportation Wilderness First Aid delivery Support for other duties as requested by tasking agencies
Recent Enhancements
All our members are trained in Ground Search and Rescue (G.S.A.R.). From this basic training they are able to get involved in one or more of our specialty teams.
Some Teams Support Specialty Teams : Rope Rescue
Tracking Search and Rescue
Ice and Swiftwater Rescue
Avalanche and Mountain Rescue
H.E.T.S. Human External Transportation System
Backcountry First Aid
Part of our training and tasks are to support the R.C.M.P. with evidence search s and the Coroner with body recovery.
Secondary Responsibilities Support for Local Government: Evacuation Alert notification to affected residents. Evacuation Order delivery to residents. Emergency Communications during Local Government emergency conditions. Coordinating/assisting with other non SAR related local emergencies.
Public Education We get involved in preventative education with the public about outdoor activities: Trade Shows Adventuresmart Hug a Tree program in the schools Survive Outside
Along with training and operational tasks, we also do fundraising: Parking at the FSJ Airshow, Truck Rodeo, etc. Corporate sponsorship PRRD funding (currently 22 K) B.C. Gaming Fund applications
What SAR Teams in the Peace need. Sustainable delivery of training to meet the needs of the public Lower exposure to risk Enhanced favorable task outcomes Appropriate and timely training for all team members Sustainable funding
Request The Peace River Regional District Board to authorize a feasibility study to examine whether a service area and function could be developed to provide for the long-term financial contributions to sustain safe and effective delivery of Search and Rescue Services in the Peace River Region of B.C..
Don t make us come out there looking for you! QUESTIONS?