Becoming a Search & Rescue Volunteer
What is Search & Rescue and how do I get involved?
Are you intrigued by stories about wilderness rescues and searches for missing hikers or stranded mountain climbers? If so, perhaps becoming a Search and Rescue — often referred to as “SAR” — volunteer might be for you.
The Exploits Search and Rescue Team is a highly trained and well equipped volunteer emergency response unit serving communities throughout Central Newfoundland. The Team was originally established in 1982 as the result of an initiative by Emergency Measures and the RCMP, who saw a need for organized and trained groups to assist police in locating missing persons. It is one of 27 teams, containing almost 1200 members, currently operating throughout the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Today the Exploits Team provides search and rescue services to residents and communities from Harbour Breton and Bay D’Espoir in the south to Notre Dame Bay and Gander Bay in the north, from Badger Lake in the west to Glenwood in the East. To put this into perspective, this is an area somewhat larger than Cape Breton Island and almost twice the size of the Province of Prince Edward Island.
What training is required?
Members of the Exploits Search and Rescue team receive basic training in map and compass and GPS navigation, radio communications, first aid, wilderness survival, the psychology of lost persons, and search techniques and procedures. In addition members can receive training in evidence search techniques, emergency traffic control, wilderness first aid, ice rescue, high angle and helicopter rescue, tracking, swift water rescue, rope and rigging management, and water search techniques. In most cases training is provided by skilled and certified trainers from within the Team however trained professionals are available to assist with training when needed.
Do you have to be physically fit for Search & Rescue
There’s no getting around it: Search and Rescue is often physically demanding, so a moderate to high level of fitness is definitely an asset.
However, while a number of members are in excellent physical condition, others do have chronic injuries or limitations that prevent them from participating in the more physically difficult missions.
Keep in mind, there are many ways to help a team aside from the primary acts of searching and rescuing.
During a mission, not every responding team member hikes up a hill with a backpack full of equipment or rappels over a cliff, but everyone does perform a function, even if that means simply sitting tight and waiting as backup if needed.
Tasks might include driving to and from staging areas so other team members can rest, helping to prepare maps and briefings for the missions as they arise, delivering food and drinks to searchers in the field, or driving perimeter roads to contain a lost subject.
Non-mission assistance can include maintaining equipment, such as vehicles and technical gear; organizing and participating in fundraising events; representing the team at community events and functions, and so forth.
Where can I sign up?
Step 1 – Complete THIS APPLICATION
Step 2 – Scan and email the completed application to membership@exploitssar.ca OR mail to the address on the cover of the application form
Step 3 – Wait. ESAR only takes on new members in September. As applications come in we will keep them for review in August. At that time the membership committee will review and forward on applications to the RCMP to have a criminal record check completed. Once that has been completed the membership committee will contact you as required. Not all applicants will be accepted. Each year we typically only have a small number of openings to fill and will do so based on the needs at the time