Scott Short new Chief of Central Cariboo Search & Rescue

Central Cariboo Search and Rescue (CSARS) has a new man at the helm.

Earlier this month Scott Short was appointed earlier this month by the Cariboo Regional District to be the team’s new Chief.

Short brings extensive Search and Rescue experience.

“I served with a couple of teams over the last few years,” Scott said, “Comox, Chilliwack and Central Fraser Valley. My roles typically with those team’s were more in line with technical rescue and searching, swift water, ropes, things like that.”

Short noted while with Comox he took a more active role in team leadership when he sat on the Board of Directors for about 3 years and spent 2 years as their President.

We asked Short before taking on the role of being the new Central Cariboo Search and Rescue Chief what was his duties with this team and if they were similar to the ones he had in the past.

“Very similar. I came with a skill set, SARS management being one of them so I kind of filled the role as SAR manager for the group, with a background in teaching the basic GSAR (Ground Search and Rescue) course, as well looking after the new MIT course we call it for our new members in training. Other than applying for the position of Chief that’s kind of what the roles were, a little bit more administrative and a little less technical.”

Short said he was a little excited and almost a little apprehensive at first when it was announced that he was given this new position.

“This (CSARS) is a fairly dynamic team and they have a really strong sense of camaraderie amongst themselves. Being kind of the new person with the group the apprehension comes from that. I have to spend a little time to earn their trust which I think is going well. A lot of these people have been working together for 8, 9, 10, 12, even upwards towards 20 years with this group so being kind of that outsider coming in it’s going to take a little work on my part.”

In addition to his SAR background, Short offers 35 years of leadership experience in the Canadian Armed Forces, with a focus on governance, accountability, and team leadership.

On Central Cariboo Search and Rescue’s social media they posted “We are confident that Scott’s experience, professionalism, and dedication to service will continue to strengthen our team and the communities we proudly serve.”