Services
24 / 7 – 365 – Always Free
– Serving the Bulkley Valley and Beyond –
HOW BVSAR IS DEPLOYED IN AN EMERGENCY
In British Columbia, Search and Rescue groups cannot self-deploy. They must be activated by an authorized requesting agency. Authorized requesting agencies include: Police Authority (primarily RCMP) BC Ambulance Service Canadian Forces (DND) Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) Parks Canada BC Coroners Service Local Authorities Fire Services Once BVSAR receives a request from one of the authorized requesting agencies, the search managers contact volunteers with the appropriate training to support the search, rescue, or recovery.
GROUND SAR
Locating, Accessing, Stabilizing and Transporting are the key goals of Ground SAR. We locate through specialized ground search techniques, access with ropes and other specialized equipment, stabilize with first aid techniques and transport by a variety of methods and vehicles.
All BVSAR members are trained and certified in ground search operations. Searches are conducted at any time of the year, at any time of the day, in any type of terrain. Many searches are completed in a few hours; occasionally, they take several days. As volunteers, SAR members in BC are not paid for the time they contribute.
Swift Water Rescue
BVSAR maintains a team of highly skilled water rescue technicians that can deploy and affect a rescue on any inland waterway. Swift water rescue takes specialized training and equipment as well as regular practice in local waters to remain familiar with the water systems and the ever changing list of hazards that can be found on a river.
Due to the added pressure of moving water, swift water rescue involves the use of specially trained personnel, ropes and mechanical advantage systems that are often much more robust than those used in standard rope rescue.
Winter Response
The BVSAR response area includes technically challenging climbing and mountaineering objectives. Members of the mountain rescue team are highly skilled and trained to effect search and rescue operations in all types of terrain and weather conditions.
The Winter Response team comprises members certified to various levels by the Canadian Avalanche Association to lead and effect rescues in avalanche terrain.
Rope Rescue
Rope Rescue Team Members are trained in slope rescues, high angle rescues, stretcher rigging, subject packaging, and a multitude of command and safety protocols. They may be asked to rappel down a cliff, ascend back up, cross a high line, control a stretcher as they are lowered over an edge, haul a subject and rescuer back to the top of a bluff using a simple pulley system and some muscle, operate a brake rack, rig a pre-tensioned back-tie, extend an anchor, the list goes on and on.
BVSAR has a variety of specialized rope rescue equipment and constantly train to keep up with the latest standards and technology. In any rescue, the safety of subjects, bystanders, and rescuers is of the utmost priority.
Advanced Medical
All BVSAR members have at minimum basic first aid and CPR training. Emergency Management BC requires every volunteer to have at least eight hours of training. Most of our team members have a higher level of training, including many members trained on Wilderness Advanced First Aid, and Wilderness First Responder.
Members are trained to respond in wilderness environments, covering relevant topics such as hypothermia, drowning, trauma, and more. Members are also trained to do first aid modified for the wilderness, including building splints, hypothermia wraps, and stretchers with only materials you’ve carried in. Our team is diverse and includes members who are paramedics, nurses, or medical doctors.
Community Outreach
BVSAR members have been trained by AdventureSmart to deliver outdoor education programs suitable for a variety of ages. These programs are available at no cost to your organization or group and can provide valuable, even life-saving information for those who enjoy the outdoors. Please contact us for more information.
