Image Credit: Kamloops Search and Rescue

By Victor Kaisar

KSAR Recruitment Drive

KSAR to hold spring recruitment drive after busiest year on record

Jan 6, 2025 | 2:25 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops Search and Rescue (KSAR) will be holding another recruitment drive in the spring, as it looks to bolster its ranks after the busiest year on record.

KSAR President Paula Davies says the goal is to take the 43 member strong volunteer group to 50 members in 2025.

“Sometimes we [hold a recruitment campaign] annually and sometimes we’ll do it twice a year,” Davies said. “It depends on our needs and also kind of the circumstances, so like COVID, I think we missed an intake. But generally its once or twice a year.”

Davies says the KSAR team currently consists of 38 operational members who do most of the day-to-day work, and five members in an auxiliary/support role.

“Its not all ground pounding members,” Davies added. “We need people for support, so we need people that are willing to do mapping on computers, do radio communications, administration, legal, there are lots of other places that we need people in.”

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While KSAR hopes that all new recruits commit to be a part of the team for a minimum of two years, Davies says they’re willing to be flexible if needed.

“We know that life changes for people, their circumstances change, their jobs change, they have a new baby in the family and so a they aren’t able to stay for that long and we understand that because family, life, and work comes first,” Davies said.

“But we always welcome them back if they have to leave and then want to join back at a later date when they have more time.”

Davies says people who have questions about what its like to be a search and rescue member can always reach out to KSAR either online or by email

“We just recruited 11 members that went through our GSAR program so we have a really strong, enthusiastic and capable group, so we’re looking forward to another great year in 2025,” Davies said.

Davies also said SAR members are eligible to claim a tax credit if they accumulate enough hours during a calendar year. Like volunteer firefighters, they’ll now be able to claim $6,000 on their taxes after changes were implemented in the 2024 federal budget.