LA LOCHE – The federal government has announced funding for two search and rescue projects by the Search and Rescue Saskatchewan Association of Volunteers.
Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development, made the announcement Thursday in La Loche that approximately $1.15 million in funding is going to those projects. The announcement was made on behalf of Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience Canada Eleanor Olszewski.
The funding is through the Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund, or SARNIF, a federal program which the government says is aimed at strengthening prevention efforts in search and rescue and improving the effectiveness of response across Canada.
The government states these projects will “advance volunteer recruitment and retention, and enhance training, resources, and coordination for operations on water and shorelines, including through the use of new Geographic Information System‑based mapping tools.”
In a news release the federal government is pointing to the growing need for “reliable and effective” search and rescue capabilities as natural disasters become more frequent and severe.
“Search and rescue is a vital service Canadians rely on, especially in rural, remote and northern communities where conditions can be unpredictable and a quick, effective response can make all the difference,” said Belanger in a statement.
“Well-trained, well-equipped teams that reflect the communities they serve are essential to saving lives. Investments in the Search and Rescue Saskatchewan Association of Volunteers will expand inclusive volunteer participation and improve response on water and along shorelines so that Canadians can count on skilled teams when it matters most.”
"SARNIF funding has significantly strengthened volunteer search and rescue in Saskatchewan by enabling SARSAV to deliver disaster assistance response training, a recent multi-agency search and rescue exercise to practice the Pan-Canadian Humanitarian Workforce, near-water training development and delivery, governance development and training through an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion lens, AdventureSmart PaddleSmart programming, and the continued work of the Saskatchewan Search and Rescue Advisory Council,” said Bobbi Buchanan, President, Search and Rescue Saskatchewan Association of Volunteers, in a statement.
“These initiatives have strengthened organizational capacity, increased collaboration among provincial SAR partners, enhanced operational readiness, and fostered a more coordinated response, creating lasting benefits for SAR volunteers and the communities they serve, with the ultimate goal of bringing the lost and missing home."
