2008

• 091-340 Missing person on Atnarko River. Subject found deceased in river.

2009

• 100-662 Fire Evacuation Call-out for Alexis Creek
• 101-862 Missing person Rainbow Mountain. Found after several hours searching
• 101-687 Missing moose hunter. Found deceased by RCMP while WCSAR enroute
• 102-034 Fire evacuation assistance over several days. Extensive task
• 102-911 Investigate over-turned canoe in Kleena Kleene river. Helicopter

2010

• 110-067 Missing person. Search called off after several days, not found
• 111-661 Fire evacuation Anahim Lake and Ulcatcho Reserve
• 111-999 Missing hiker subject found by RCMP shortly after callout
• 112-894 Missing hunter. Found by CASARA fixed wing. Whitesaddle heli also flew
• 112-580 Evidence search in Alexis Creek. Follow-up[ to 110-067
• 113-154 Missing rancher. Found shortly after call-out
• 113-305 Missing mushroom picker. Found by helicopter team and ground team

Audrey King of the West Chilcotin Search and Rescue accepts a generous grant from Williams Lake and District Credit Union presented by Lyndsey Carter of WLDCU. This year's grant money will go toward a much needed equipment trailer for the SAR group.

Williams Lake Tribune
Friday May 29,2009

Members of West Chilcotin Search and Rescue (WCSAR) were thrilled to be awarded a $2500. grant by Williams Lake and District Credit Union, says James King, WCSAR president.　The relatively new SAR group has been in operation for two years and although it is based out of Tatla Lake with an area population of less than 500, he says the organization now has 24 volunteer members."We plan to use the money to purchase much needed rope rescue equipment", says King.
"The proper equipment is expensive but necessary and to be able to provide services in a safe and effective manner we rely on the generosity of donors like the Credit Union."　Several WCSAR members are planning to attend a rope rescue course sponsored by the Provincial Emergency Program this fall to hone their skills for future calls.　The rope gear can be used to lower rescuers down to injured subjects or to raise stretchers up steep embankments.　WCSAR members are also planning to train at least 10 members to be certified First Responders next month, he says.This will allow the group to respond to 911 calls in the remote West Chilcotin and provide emergency first aid to residents and visitors in the area.
"The rope rescue gear we hope to purchase should fit in with our First Responder program quite well," King says.
"We will be able to access, stabilize and transport injured subjects to BC Ambulance care in all types of terrain."　All search and rescue members are volunteers who donate many hours of time and personal equipment, which makes this donation all the more appreciated.　If you are interested in Search and Rescue, please visit the British Columbia Search And Rescue Association web-site www.BCSARA.com or if you live in the Chilcotin,　 www.WCSAR.ca

Published: July 18, 2008 7:00 PM Williams Lake Tribune

 

The Chilcotin Plateau is a vast area of rangeland, mixed forest, wetlands, and mountain ranges with a sparse population and only one paved road. The sheer size of the area combined with the patchwork topography and lack of development means that getting lost out here can happen easily.

British Columbia has more searches for missing persons than any other province, in fact almost as many as all the other provinces combined. In response to this, search and rescue groups comprised of volunteers have been formed around the province to aid police and other agencies in locating and rescuing missing persons. In all, there are around 90 search and rescue groups province wide. One of the newest groups to join the British Columbia Search and Rescue Association is West Chilcotin Search and Rescue (WCSAR) operating out of Tatla Lake in the Chilcotin.

The group was formed a year ago to fill a large gap in coverage between Central Cariboo SAR out of Williams Lake and Bella Coola Valley SAR. WCSAR has participated in two searches and twice been on stand-by to help neighbouring groups. The enthusiasm and generosity of local volunteers has been fantastic. Presently WCSAR has 24 active members who meet at least once a month for business meetings and training sessions. Volunteers and community members have been very generous with donations of cash and equipment. In June the group received a gift from North Shore Rescue in Vancouver of a 4x4 utility vehicle specially set up to be used for search and rescue.

WCSAR has 10 members who are Ground Search and Rescue or “GSAR” certified through the Justice Institute of BC, and 12 members completed level 1 first aid with transportation endorsement this spring. Ongoing training includes map and compass orienteering, radio communications, search and rescue techniques, and outdoor survival. July 11 to 13 was a weekend of tracking training provided by John Tucker of 100 Mile SAR and Colin Carmichael of Quesnel SAR. Both men are experienced SAR veterans and sign-cutters, or master trackers. Tucker and Carmichael taught us the basics of tracking in the bush and then let us loose to practice in the field.

Search and rescue in B.C. falls under the umbrella of the Provincial Emergency Program, which assists in coordinating searches and provides insurance coverage and financial assistance to groups during official tasks. While PEP reimburses groups for expenses incurred on searches, the group must shoulder the cost for equipment and training, and fund raising is always an issue. WCSAR will be applying for a provincial grant this fall and hope to use the money for basic rescue gear.

Donations of cash or equipment are always greatly appreciated.

Any one in the Chilcotin interested in joining WCSAR should visit our website at http//WCSAR.ca or drop us a line at wcsar@rescueteam.com.

MEMBERS of West Chilcotin Search and Rescue, the newest members of the British Columbia Search and Rescue Association. Pictured left to right: Colin Carmichael, John Tucker, John Mclean, Darryl Bishop, Heidy Lenz, Jim Fell, Jamie King, Brenda McFetridge, Gerald Kirby, Doug Schuk, Selma Padget, Don Doumont, Lorelee Sutton (and Sadie the dog; centre).