Search & Rescue
Saskatchewan Search and Rescue
With Saskatchewan’s vast terrain and the remote locations of several First Nation bands, there are situations where a family member and loved one will go missing. When we are deployed by the authority with jurisdiction, being able to respond to these crises effectively and efficiently is crucial to successfully locate the missing persons. Time is the biggest factor and we are relieved that we can offer this service to our communities.
Our Official Designation
Our team is the official Prince Albert Grand Council Search, Rescue and Recovery SARSAV Team in Saskatchewan. Previously, our team was operating outside of our approved funding to assist families in locating their missing loved ones. With this new appointment, we are able to receive seed support and resources that will improve our abilities to conduct search and rescue operations in the unpredictable northern terrain. This is an incredibly important development in our capabilities and we are grateful to have the tools we need to better serve our community when they need us most.
Search & Rescue
Search and rescue for any family is an emergency for everyone involved. This is why our office was eager to join the number of teams officially approved to conduct these responses. Our relationships with HEART (Hutterian Emergency Aquatic Response Team), Lloydminister Search and Rescue, and Grandmother’s Bay/Stanley Mission are essential partners in our search and rescue operations. Being able to receive the proper equipment to perform these operations means that we can increase our chances of finding the family member before it is too late.
Coordinated Efforts
When we are deployed by the authority with jurisdiction, we can call in support from neighbouring organizations, local leadership and volunteers with knowledge of the terrain to provide a coordinated search of the area. The support of local First Nation bands and leadership is an essential partnership in the success of these operations as it increases the amount of land we can cover and provides valuable information on the remote landscape. Continuing to foster these relationships and provide support for them is something we are passionate about. Without their aid, we would not be able to locate the missing individual promptly.
The Right Tools for the Job
We are fortunate to have access to specialized tools that support us in our search and rescue efforts. These resources give us the opportunity to improve our effectiveness in searching unique terrain and atmospheres. Without them, we would not be able to accurately search these areas. A few examples of these tools are our Pro 5 ROV, a remote-controlled submarine capable of transmitting video surveillance underwater, and our Side-scan sonar device which provides imaging and material data within a body of water.
Always Looking for Volunteers
If you are interested in volunteering to support these efforts, we encourage you to connect with us. Search and rescue is a dangerous and emotional experience for all involved, particularly for the impacted family. However, if we are able to work together, we can increase our chances of our search having a happy ending. More eyes and ears recruited for these operations means that we can work fast and beat the clock.