By Vanessa Ybarra

Kamloops Search and Rescue seeks new volunteers

Nov 17, 2017 | 11:19 AM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops Search and Rescue is seeking at least a dozen new volunteers as part of its fall recruitment.

KSAR Member Anthony Stahn says a few new members have dropped out which is what’s led to the call out.

“As they come in they’re super excited to be a part of search rescue then realize it may not be for them due to other commitments in life or trudging up a mountain in the middle of winter in the middle of the night isn’t necessarily for everyone.”

New members undergo a 95 hour training course involving classroom and field exercises teaching the basics of ground search and rescue. 

Stahn says their goal is to have two dozen new members in the next month.

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“We want to make sure we get enough to actually fill up a class so we would like to get  twice as many as we have now just because it is a sizeable effort to put it all together, it’s all volunteer hours.”

Stahn says they’re seeking people who have experience in the outdoors, are committed to volunteering their time, and work well in a team.

Kamloops Search and Rescue holds three regular training sessions a month to keep members skills sharp. 

The next one is taking place tomorrow (Saturday) from 9:30 a.m. until mid-afternoon around Inks Lake where members will practice grid searching and stretcher carrying exercises.

Stahn says the summer season was slower than usual for rescues due to the wildfires keeping more people indoors. He adds fall has been relatively quiet

If you’re interested in joining, you can submit an application here.