Our 2009 Recruiting Drive is Now Underway!

• Have you ever seen a missing person on the news and wondered who's out looking for them?
• When you're in the backcountry do you feel safer knowing someone can help you if something goes wrong?
• Do you want to help people when they need it the most?
• Would you like to receive free training, gain personal experience and satisfaction and serve your community as part of a group of dedicated volunteers?

Why not make it happen?

In an area like ours there is the potential for many things to go wrong. There are people rafting on the rivers, hunting in extremely remote areas, and snowmobiling in potentially dangerous terrain just for starters. With the way our town is entwined with wilderness a young child or anyone could wander from home and become lost. When something like that happens Search and Rescue teams spring into action, taking time from their personal lives to get out there and make a difference! But we can only make that difference if we have a strong team with enough manpower and equipment to get the job done. We're always conducting fundraising and applying for grants to keep us well equipped, but it doesn't do anyone a lot of good if we don't have a dedicated team of volunteers with the skills to use it! That's where you can really help us...

Now that you know what you can do for us and your community, why don't we tell you what we can do for you?

As a member of Elkford Search & Rescue, you will receive free training and gain valuable experience in the following areas:

• First Aid (OFA Level 1 or higher)
• Navigation with map & compass and GPS
• Wilderness safety & survival
• Knots and rope use
• Communications
• Helicopter Safety
• Search Techniques
• Avalanche safety

And that's just in the basic course! More advanced training will be available to you after completion of the Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) course. This training includes Technical Rope Rescue, Swiftwater Rescue, Tracking, Avalanche Rescue, and the list goes on!

If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, then please contact us. We don't require you to have previous training or experience, just a willingness to learn and the dedication to be an asset to your community. If you have any questions please contact us or attend one of our regular meetings, held at the Elkford main fire hall.

Please Note:

• All applicants must be at least 16 years of age. Those aged 16-18 must have written parental consent prior to participating in any training.
• We ask that members have some means of transport to the marshalling area (usually the main fire hall)

Meeting Date:

Last Tuesday of every month at the Elkford Fire Hall, 7:00pm.