File photo of Search and Rescue members on a task (Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

KAMLOOPS SEARCH AND RESCUE

Multi-day searches and training hours kept Kamloops Search and Rescue volunteers busy in 2019

Jan 3, 2020 | 4:03 PM

KAMLOOPS — It was a busy year of work, training, and celebrating for Kamloops Search and Rescue volunteers.

KSAR was needed for 44 separate call-outs this year, putting in nearly 3,000 hours of searching. Spokesperson Jenn Stahn says the amount of tasks was second only to the tasks attended in 2017.

“We had seven tasks that were multi-day. So those do add up, and led to 59 operational periods total. Some of our big ones within that were the Ben Tyner search down in Merritt. We had eight operational periods on that. And we also had four operational periods for Bjorn Collnes near Falkland — the cyclist that had gone missing out that way.”

Many tasks involved mutual aid, meaning SAR teams from around BC teamed up for multiple searches. Stahn says this practice has become more common.

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“A big part of it is because we have gotten so much busier. Not just us, but the other teams as well, and that really does put a strain on your volunteers,” she explains. “Bringing in mutual aid is also really important because we are seeing more multi-day tasks and that can really put a strain on volunteers as well.”

Volunteers also dedicated more than 4,000 hours to earn new rescue and leadership certifications, and added two puppies as search dogs in training.

“So that included having swift water (training), and having our dog teams, and rope teams, and team leader training,” Stahn says. “Quite a bit has gone on in that way. We have seven new team leaders on our team which is great because we need a team leader on every team that goes out into the field.”

The education component will only be boosted in 2020 after the new permanent hall is opened, much to the relief of KSAR after years in a smaller, temporary garage.

“2020 is going to be the year of planning for the move,” Stahn says. “The renovations are just starting, they’re underway at the new hall, and we’re just waiting for them to complete that. And while they’re working on all that hard stuff, we’re going to be over here and planning how we’re going to move all this gear.”