Like with many other organizations, the retreating year turned out to be quite tricky for the young Â鶹ÊÓƵeast Saskatchewan Search and Rescue (SESKSAR). But despite the challenges, the group of dedicated volunteers was able to still progress in setting an equipped, trained and fully functioning SAR organization.
The results and achievements were discussed during an annual general meeting that took place on Dec. 1 at the Carnduff Fire Hall. Several members were present, while others joined via Zoom call.
Unlike many other chapters across Saskatchewan, SESKSAR is heading forward in good financial shape. The chapter was able to secure some funds for further equipment purchases as well as for finishing and packing off the incident command trailer, thanks to the generosity of the southeast, and especially the family of Ruby Barnes, who donated the trailer, the Olson family, local RMs and numerous co-op fundraisers.
The funding was also generated from some other private donations and a few fundraisers held in 2019 and in 2020 before the pandemic, including the Richard Carriere Memorial Bike Ride.
According to fundraising committee chair Trish Read, since its establishment, the chapter was able to raise over $40,000 in cash and non-cash donations. And even though not much could be done in a sense of fundraising since March, the organization was able to still attract some funding. It was also agreed during the meeting that SESKSAR will organize a virtual fundraiser moving forward.
The funds that have already been raised will allow the equipment committee to keep working on the donated incident command trailer. The trailer was plated and the committee was able to insulate it and put a divider wall into it to allow for an actual command centre and an equipment/recovery room. A lot of work and materials were donated by different businesses and individuals. The committee also has acquired several GPS units, radios, a laptop and a Toughbook and did some other work on the trailer in 2019.
With the money received from the southeast Saskatchewan RMs, the chapter was also able to purchase 21 professional winter jacket, so all trained members now have something to keep them warm and safe if a call for service comes over the winter months. In 2020 the equipment committee also received some important donations that will help get the trailer up and running, and they are currently looking into putting cabinetry in and then acquiring a generator to power the command trailer.Ìý
While quite a few things were already accomplished, SESKSAR still has a long wish list of equipment that is necessary to ensure an efficient and safe operation when members get called out.
Jason Russill, the emergency service officer with Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA), joined the meeting via Zoom from Regina as a guest speaker. He spoke to SESKSAR members about the organization, its role in the emergency response system and the resources and equipment the organization possesses and that can be utilized by SAR chapters among others for training and in operations.
So far the organization has 19 trained members that can partake in SAR operations. While no new members were trained in 2020 due to the pandemic, the existing ones were able to participate in several field pieces of training at the beginning of the year. In 2019, a few members also went through technical training, and a long list of other free training opportunities was offered to the chapter.
Two members also partook in Adventure Smart special training, which allows them to teach others to deliver the preventative school-level program, designed to try and reduce the number and the severity of search and rescue incidents. However, due to the pandemic, the delivery of the program to schools has been on pause since March.
In 2021, the training committee is hoping to have its first SESKSAR team leaders trained, and also to hold a few mock call outs.
The board of directors has also been developing the chapter's own constitution, bylaws and policies based on the appropriate documents from other entities.
"I'm pleased to report that we've made it through the constitution and we are currently working on the bylaws. Once we've got the bylaws finished, we'll tap on policies and then we are going to send those out to the membership for a review. And of course, it will have to be run by member vote at one of the upcoming meetings," explained board member Dan Hardern.
The chapter is always open to new members. The application package is available on SESKSAR's Facebook page as well as through existing members.
SESKSAR is also working on organizing canine and equine SAR units and is looking for people with dogs or horses willing to join the organization and undergo the training. For more information, people can email [email protected].Ìý
