“We haven’t been able to get together (to train) for 12 to 18 months,” said group spokesperson Dustin Brears.
And, over that time actual call-outs were down too.
“Not surprisingly they dropped off,” said Brears, adding with COVID-19 people were staying home far more, so weren’t in a position where they might get lost.
Brears said the local group, which included Yorkton and Melville, has 24 members, all of them volunteer, which can be called out not just locally to aid in search and rescue efforts.
“We’re dispatched by the RCMP typically,” he said, adding they are generally the fourth level of response after RCMP, fire departments and emergency medical responders.
Brears explained there are search and rescue chapters across the province and when they are needed the three chapters closest to where the missing person is suspected to have been lost are called in.
The call can come at any time, 365 days of the year.
“It can be minus-40, or plus 40,” said Brears.
The calls are as varied as the trouble people can find themselves in, from hunters overdue in returning home, to lost snowmobilers, to lost boaters and campers.
As for Wednesday’s training, Brears said it would focus on finding points around the city using GPS, adding normally they hold training sessions to keep their skills sharp, and to help new members become accredited. He said all members need to earn certification, a process that includes first aid and CPR training.
Anyone interested in joining can email [email protected]
Brears said they also welcome fundraising opportunities and there is always equipment needed. For example, Mosaic recently helped fund new jackets for the team, and cornerstone Credit Union helped find a command post trailer. The group is now raising funds for a truck to pull the trailer rather than rely on a member supplying one. That effort was helped recently by a $5000 donation from the Yorkton Kinsmen Club.
