New members of Central Cariboo Search and Rescue (CCSAR) will be busy sharpening their skills this Fall.
Public Relations and SARS member Deborah Bortolussi said they’ll be taking part in a Ground Search and Rescue course for members all across the province.
“It allows us to ensure that members have a solid understanding of Search and Rescue and then can be eligible for specialized training. We’ll be starting the course in early October and will be done by in-house instructors. It’s an incredible opportunity for new members to get that training, get their foundations, and take part in valuable learning not only for Search and Rescue for the community but also for themselves.”
Bortolussi noted that this is a course that CCSAR offers every two years based on membership need and that they just had seven members certified in early 2024 and now we’re excited to get another course underway.
“If members want to partake in tasks, partake in specialized training, the Ground Search and Rescue course is something they need to complete. It’s all about the basic foundations of search types, rope rescue, swift water safety, helicopter safety, map and compass navigation, everything a member needs to know in order to be safe and successful for themselves as well as for those we’re there to help.”
Bortolussi added that long time members are incredibly excited to see new members and new recruits take part in this training, and for them to be able to share their knowledge and expertise with them.
“The Ground Search and Rescue course will be one day a week and every once and awhile there will be a weekend where people will partake in things like quad training which takes a full day. There is some book work as well as quizzes and tests and there is a final exam at the end. At the very end of the course the members get to go out overnight with senior members of Search and Rescue with just everything they would carry in their pack. They’ll set up a shelter, build a fire, and experience what it’s like to be truly alone in the wilderness and get to test all those skills they’ve learned,” Bortolussi said.
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