Province commits to search and rescue funding

The B.C. government has made a committment to long awaited annual funding to search and rescue crews in the province.

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says the government will provide six million dollars a year starting in 2022-23 to help support the work of the province’s 2,500 search and rescue volunteers.

“B.C.’s ground search and rescue groups have been calling for long-term, sustainable funding, and we’ve worked with them to meet this need,” Farnworth said. “But funding is only one way to show our support. Search and rescue volunteers take a risk every time they go out to rescue someone, and that risk is heightened due to COVID 19. I’m calling on all British Columbians to be safe and to make sure your family, friends and neighbours are being safe, so we can reduce the risks for everyone.”

Since January, the search teams have responded to more than 700 calls throughout the province.

Since 2013, the BC Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA) has been working with the province on a long-term approach to funding. In 2018, the government hired a consultant to review and make recommendations on a BCSARA proposal. In response to the consultant’s recommendations, the province provided the one-time, $18.6-million investment in 2019. Budget 2020 provides for an ongoing contribution to support ground search and rescue groups starting in 2022-23.

“This announcement of sustainable funding and support for the 79 groups and their 2,500 unpaid professional members is truly a milestone for the ground search and rescue service in B.C.,” said Chris Kelly, president, on behalf of the BCSARA board.