NO

All ground SAR teams in BC and all members of those teams are volunteers, with the exception of some teams in National Parks.

SAR teams are non-profit societies, and are funded through a variety of means.

Some receive a basic budget from the city or region they are based in, and the rest of the operating costs are obtained through fundraising and donations.

Costs incurred while performing a search or rescue operation are paid for by the Province of British Columbia. More info on this can be found at the Provincial Emergency Program (PEP) Web site.

If you're interested in supporting Coquitlam Search and Rescue in any way, please see our Support page. 

Yes

Search and rescue team members are very well trained.

Besides undergoing a long selection process, we have training five times a month and take courses on various subjects ranging from Wilderness First Aid, to crevasse rescue to tracking and navigation. See the training, membership, and people section for more info on training, selection and team skills.

NO

The Government of British Columbia (the taxpayers of British Columbia) pays all costs associated with Search and Rescue.

A person who is in a car accident can expect emergency services to come and rescue them, perform first aid and deliver them to a hospital weather or not that person was at fault. In Canada, that person can expect all of these services to be paid for mostly by the government, and their own taxes. The same holds true for Search and Rescue; it does not matter to SAR volunteers weather the subject is lost or injured through their own fault, or through some misadventure, we will search for you, find you and render any assitance you may need, including transportation to Emergency Medical Services.

In fact, since all of the members of SAR teams are volunteers, the cost to the tax payers for Search and Rescue is extremely low. For instance, in 2004 the total cost to for all ground and inland water search and rescues was $1,1370,958 for 933 searches. Volunteers rescued just over 1000 people that year. This includes lost hunters, children, elderly people with varying forms of dementia (Alzheimers), mushroom pickers, snowmobilers, climbers, skiiers, and hikers.

For info can be found on the PEP web site

NO

If someone is lost, you should report them missing right away by calling the local Police or emergency number (usually 911).

Depending on their age, preparedness, health, and weather conditions, a decision can be made on when to initiate a search. Usually, if the person is unprepared and overdue from a hike, the decision will be to initiate a search immediately.