The conference began with the SAR Games competition. This year 10 teams competed and Coquitlam SAR entered to separate 4 person teams. There were teams from BC but also teams from different areas such as Parks Canada, Quebec Provincial Police, Newfoundland Ground SAR, Irish Coast Guard and the Civil Air Patrol from Pennsylvania, USA.

Teams were required to complete stations on various topics like SAR Management, Survival Skills, Navigation, Emergency Scene Management, Clue Detection, and SAR Skills Station. One of the Coquitlam SAR teams (comprised of Mike Coyle, Liz Clyne, Sandy Burpee and Flynn Lamont) walked away with the best volunteer team award from the competition. The top three finishers were Parks Canada, Quebec Provincial Police and the Irish Coast Guard.

The remaining days of the conference included presentations on various topics from presenters from all over the world. Roland Webb made a presentation on the Coquitlam SAR volunteer recruitment and retention plan to a standing room only crowd. A copy of the presentation is here (right click and chose save if you want to download this document).

Coquitlam SAR wrapped up the SARScene 2007 conference with taking part in a SAR demo with the Canadian Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary and Squamish SAR with Blackcomb Helicopters. A simulated fire on a vessel led to all persons needing rescue, either from the shore or the water.

Coquitlam SAR would like to congratulate Jim McAllister and Phil Witfield for receiving SAR Achievement Awards from the National SAR Secretariat.