The vast outdoor playground is a big draw of the Sun Peaks and Kamloops (Tkemlúps) area. However, this comes with a higher risk of danger, whether that be getting injured while skiing in the mountains or getting caught up in the hazards of a nearby lake 

That’s why Kamloops Search and Rescue (KSAR) is a vital resource in the region. With over 35 trained volunteers having put in over 9,700 hours in 2023, the non-profit organization plays a big role in keeping the region safe. 

KSAR was founded in the early 1970’s under the City of Kamloops’ emergency preparedness program. In 1994, when the city expanded the rescue capacity of the fire service, KSAR was incorporated as an independent non-profit society. There are now almost 80 search and rescue groups in the province.

“It started with a small group of people who had some equipment and were heading out when people were in trouble, basically. Then over time it became more organized,” Diana Gerlof, a KSAR director told SPIN. “B.C. is the [province] with the most search and rescue tasks, just because we have an immense playground outside and people get in trouble sometimes.”

Now, KSAR is primarily funded by the provincial government and the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD), but it also relies on donations from the community. The organization has an operating budget of about $130,000 per year according to Gerlof.

Officially the non-profit covers anywhere within the TNRD, an area of nearly 45,000 square kilometers. However, Gerlof said volunteers get sent out beyond those bounds.

“We work together with other search and rescue groups,” Gerlof said. “For example, when you search for a missing person… sometimes you have to take a break or you have to go to work. Then we ask for help from those surrounding search and rescue groups.” 

Lately, volunteers have been sent as far as Hope and Prince George, she said. 

A lot of people in the area might not understand how much the group does and all that their volunteers are trained in, Gerlof said. In addition to working with the RCMP, conducting evidence and missing people searches and assisting BC Ambulance, KSAR also promotes public education in outdoor safety and supports emergency alerts and evacuations.

In 2023, KSAR attended 117 exercises, 141 events and responded to 60 incidents, saving a total of 25 lives.

Kamloops Search and Rescue looks to find new building

The main challenges facing KSAR is the need of a new building and more volunteers. 

Since 2011, the City of Kamloops has allowed the organization to use a former public works yard in Mission Flats as a temporary building, but recently informed the team that they have a termination date of January 2025.

David Freeman, assistant director of development, engineering and sustainability for the City of Kamloops, said the city has since been working with KSAR to find a permanent location.

In 2020, KSAR found space in Cooper Centre in Westsyde and began making plans to relocate, according to Freeman. However, in 2022 the deal fell through and by then, the city already had other plans for the Mission Flats building.

“We have needs for that space itself,” Freeman explained. “With the city growing and our operations expanding, we had our own plans.”

While they have an end date of next year, Freeman said the city is willing to work on extending the lease if necessary. Still, having a hard timeline has been beneficial to get the city, TNRD and KSAR working together more seriously on finding a solution, he explains. 

“We’re looking at a bunch of locations. We’ve got a consultant on board to help with some conceptual plans for a new space,” Freeman said. “Now that there is progress, nobody is getting kicked out on the street, but we want to keep this momentum.”

Finding a building is important, Gerloff explained, because of the amount of equipment and trucks the organization has. She added they are feeling positive about finding a solution and are appreciative of the city’s help, but reiterates this is the main concern moving forward into the new year.

Volunteer recruitment priority in 2024

KSAR is also looking to expand volunteers in 2024, starting with a recruitment drive in February.

Volunteers put in an average of 200 hours each year, with some logging over 500 hours, and can be called out for a task 24 hours a day. In addition to ground search and rescue training, volunteers are trained to be a part of specialty teams including swiftwater, ice rescue, rope rescue, winter and avalanche response, off-road operations or K9 search.

“KSAR has also extended air support capabilities to use a range of specialized aircrafts, such as helicopters, fixed-wing planes and drones to provide aerial support for SAR operations,” Gerlof said. 

Because of their broad mandate, anyone interested in volunteering must fit a list of requirements. Applicants must be at least 19 years old, have no criminal record, be in good physical condition, have a valid driver’s license and transportation and have a valid Level 1 Occupational First Aid with Transportation Endorsement or be registered to take the course. 

Volunteers must also be familiar with Sun Peaks, Kamloops and the surrounding area, and should not have employment that includes lengthy shift schedules or takes them out of the region for long periods of time.

There is regular training three times a month, in addition to a three-month long ground search and rescue course required when volunteers begin.

Volunteering for KSAR might not be easy, but the time these community members give to the organization are an integral part of keeping the region safe.

For more information on joining or donating to KSAR, visit the website at www.ksar.ca.