Coquitlam Search and Rescue
Coquitlam Search & Rescue is a volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to wilderness search and rescue around Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada. The organization serves the communities of Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody (The Tri-cities), Anmore, Belcarra, Burnaby and New Westminster.
History
Coquitlam Search and Rescue was formed in 1972[1] as a result of a search on Burke Mountain by North Shore Rescue and members of the Coquitlam RCMP detachment because there was no local team.
Over the years, the team has grown into about 45 active members. The team is called out to roughly 30 to 40 search and/or rescue operations each year, including mutual aid calls to other teams in the Lower Mainland, and other areas in the Province of British Columbia, and in Washington State.
In recent years, the team has also assisted the local police forces with evidence searches and urban searches for missing persons, as well as assisting the Tri-City communities with a variety of emergency preparedness tasks.
Operations
Coquitlam Search & Rescue is one of the busiest teams in the province with an average of 35[2] tasks per year.
The primary search area for Coquitlam Search & Rescue (SAR) 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). Coquitlam SAR also responds to assist other SAR teams in the region, and throughout the province. Coquitlam SAR has been sent on searches in Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton, Comox (Strathcona Provincial Park), Prince George, Kitimat and on occasion to Washington State.
Volunteers
The all-volunteer team is made up of highly skilled hikers, mountaineers and back country skiers, some of whom dedicate more than 500 hours per year and often conduct rescues at night, in bad weather, and on short notice. The team trains together every Tuesday night. Volunteers also attend special courses, devote time to education and fundraising, and pay for their own personal equipment and clothing.
Values
Coquitlam Search and Rescue is guided by the following values. They influence the team's conduct collectively as a society and as individual team members. Coquitlam SAR strives to have their actions reflect these values, demonstrate personal accountability and be publicly defensible:
- Integrity
- Compassion
- Respect
- Accountability: To the subject, To the team, To ourselves
- Professionalism: in our level of conduct and in how we carry out tasks
- Dedication
- Teamwork
Gallery
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Mountain Rescue -
Rope Rescue
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Swift Water Rescue
References
- ^ Coquitlam Search & Rescue Website
- ^ Emergency Management British Columbia Incident Summaries incidents from 2003 to 2010 including mutual aid