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Sparwood Search & Rescue Application Form

The most important part of a Search and Rescue team is its volunteers. Without the hard work and dedication of thousands of unpaid professionals, BC's Search and Rescue system would not function.  

Search and Rescue members are not paid, but volunteering is an extremely rewarding experience. It is a great feeling to know you've made a difference in a real emergency, and perhaps helped to save someone's life. In exchange for your free time we can offer a broad spectrum of training and/or experience both through in-house training, funded training courses, and various team activities. Some of the training that may be available to you includes:

  • First Aid
  • Survival skills
  • Equipment and its use (e.g. Transceiver, GPS, Radio)
  • Navigation skills
  • Ground Search and Rescue Techniques
  • Technical Rescue (Rope, Swiftwater, Helicopter)
  • Avalanche Safety
  • Off-Road Vehicle Operation
  • Emergency Management and Incident Command
There are a wide variety of jobs to do and not all of them involve going out in the woods and into the mountains to rescue people. Even if you're not prepared to become a front-line responder, or cannot simply drop everything and attend a callout at a moment's notice, there are still roles you can fill in our organization.

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Roles and Responsibilities
Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) Member in Training

Members in Training (MIT) are team members who are working toward obtaining their Ground Search and Rescue certificate, or who are bringing their existing certification back to a current status. MIT's are typically deployed to tasks that are within their current skill set, or alongside a GSAR member to develop field experience. MIT's must also commit a fair amount of time to study and attending practice and extra training sessions to build their skills and achieve full GSAR certification. The GSAR course is a 96-hour course (on top of regular practices) delivered in-house and typically takes 8-10 months to complete.

Ground Search and Rescue Team Member

Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) members are the front-line responders for searches and are often called out to support a technical rescue operation as well. This level of volunteer requires a significant time commitment as you must actively maintain your skills through regularly attending practice, which is held two evenings per month. Some of the expectations include:

  • Have obtained and actively maintain your Ground Search And Rescue certificate (This training is delivered in-house at no cost to volunteers).
  • First Aid certificate of at least 8 hours.
  • Be physically fit.
  • High level of map and navigation skills.
  • Have a ready pack for the season that contains enough equipment to be able to spend at least one night in the outdoors.
  • Be available on little to no notice and can arrange for time off work and family commitments often at inconvenient times of the day.

Technical Team Member

Technical team members are those who have completed the GSAR training and chosen to continue training in a more technical or in-depth discipline of SAR which could include one or more of the following: 

  • High-Angle Rope Rescue Technician
  • Swiftwater Rescue Technician
  • Avalanche Response
  • Advanced First Aid (OFA Level 3 or higher)
  • Incident Command and Emergency Management

Being a team member in any specialized discipline requires the highest level of commitment, as in addition to maintaining basic GSAR skills the member must also participate in additional training sessions and/or professional development workshops, and assist in maintaining the specialized equipment required for the job.

Support Member

Support members provide assistance during or outside of GSAR operations. They contribute to the objectives and goals of the society and are not required to participate in tasks and training or have completed the GSAR certification. Support members are categorized as 1. Operational or 2. Non-operational.

1. Operational role may include: being involved in at least one standing committee, equipment maintenance, logistics and mapping, etc.

2. Non-operational role may include: accountancy, IT, acting as an ambassador of Sparwood SAR in the community, outreach, and communications/social media, etc.

Name *
Email *
What role are you interested in? *
Required
Outline any skills and qualifications you have that would be applicable to SAR *
How familiar are you with Sparwood and surrounding areas (i.e. Corbin, Flathead, etc.)
New to the Area
Very Familiar
Clear selection
What amount of time can you commit to SSAR? *
One meeting per quarter (Practice, AGM, Community event)
Available for the majority of callouts and practices
Do you have a valid Class 5 drivers license?
Clear selection
Do you own enough personal outdoor equipment to operate in all seasons? (Pack, footwear, raingear, etc.)
Clear selection
Do you have the ability to leave work for a callout? 
Clear selection
Why do you want to join Sparwood SAR? *
Is there any other information you would like to provide?
Criminal Record Check SAR volunteer members are providing a service to the RCMP and BCEHS. We are also serving the public in a trusted capacity and possibly working with vulnerable individuals and minors. *
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