Coquitlam Search and Rescue

Template:Unreviewed Coquitlam Search & Rescue Coquitlam Search & Rescue is a volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to wilderness search and rescue around Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada. We serve the communities of Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody (The Tri-cities), Anmore, Belcarra, Burnaby and New Westminster.

This primary search area for Coquitlam Search & Rescue is 1762 km² and includes some of the most rugged and inaccessible terrain in the south west region of the province of British Columbia. The team also provides assistance to residents during natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes (for example, the Kelowna Firestorm). We also respond to help other SAR teams in the region, and throughout the province. We've been sent on searches in Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton, Comox (Strathcona Provincial Park), Prince George, Kitimat and on occasion Washington State.

All of our members are volunteers and carry a pager 24/7 which goes off when a search is activated by either the British Columbia Ambulance, Coroner Office, Fire Department or Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). When this occurs, members meet at designated coordinates where the command vehicle will be waiting. Whether it be an urban search for a missing child or a wilderness search for a lost hiker, the command vehicle is a key component required for a successful outcome. In order to ensure the lost hiker or child is returned safely and reunited with their family, the command centre must act as a communications hub, relaying information to the field members and other emergency services.

Coquitlam Search & Rescue respond to an average of 35 tasks per year.

References

• Emergency Management British Columbia Incident Summaries average incidents 2003 to 2010 including mutual aid