Salt Spring Island Search and Rescue (SAR)

Was founded in 1989 and operates under the Emergency Management of BC (EMBC). It is run by a group of dedicated volunteers trained to find and help missing or lost individuals, as well as to provide assistance during natural disasters like forest fires and earthquakes.

We are responsible for ground searches, both wilderness and urban, as well as inland waters (lakes and rivers) and shorelines.

Our Mandate

Salt Spring Island Search and Rescue (SAR) Society operates under the oversight of the Emergency Management BC (EMBC) program. We operate with dedicated volunteers trained to find and help missing or lost individuals and assist during natural disasters like forest fires and earthquakes.

We are responsible for wilderness and urban ground Search and Rescue missions, including inland waters and tidal shorelines.

Our primary geographic area of responsibility is Salt Spring Island and the southern Gulf Islands, which includes Galiano, Mayne, Pender, Saturna, and more than 50 smaller islands in the vicinity. We also provide mutual aid support to other SAR groups in British Columbia, as requested.

SAR members are skilled in first aid, tracking, wilderness navigation and survival, radio communications, high-angle rope rescue, and helicopter safety. The group has been active since 1989 and our team has approximately 40 men and women, ranging in age from 25 to 70.