There are only three Search and Rescue crews in all of BC that have an Auto Extrication division and one of them is located in the Cariboo.
Central Cariboo Search and Rescue has a team dedicated to this task and Member and Public Relations Deborah Bortolussi explained why this makes them so unique.
“Auto Extrication Response looks a little different in every community. Most commonly it’s done by the Fire Department then there’s also Rescue Societies, Highway Rescue Societies that will do that as their own Division.”
Bortolussi noted they have separate, dedicated evenings for Auto Ex practices and went over some of the things they practice.
“Being able to manage the tools, how to do the cuts, how to safely move a subject, and we also do specialized training for embankment rescue, we talk oil and gases, anything that’s hazardous for us, power lines being down, and we also talk about how we work with other agencies.”
Bortolussi added members also take a specific course and when completed a specialist in auto extrication comes to Williams Lake to certify them and teach them new techniques.
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