Whereas the current response capability approval process for individual ground search and rescue SAR teams is hindering the ability of teams to respond to known hazards and utilize local capabilities and innovative technology; And whereas while the Province is responsible for administration of the SAR Program, local SAR expertise, community needs, and local authorities and agencies input must be a greater part of the capability approval process; And whereas capability decisions must not include call volume, as saving one life makes the investment of time and money worthwhile, and strengthens the overall SAR capacity to assist our counterparts across the region and province when called upon: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the provincial government to change the search and rescue capability approval process from the Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Search and Rescue EMCR SAR Unit, to a collaborative process involving the ground search and rescue team, local authorities, and the EMCR SAR Unit.
Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Ground Search and Rescue GSAR volunteers in British Columbia are among the best in the world, and the Province is committed to supporting their invaluable work and dedication to helping keep people safe. The Province continues to provide predictable and ongoing funding of approximately 6 million annually to support the Ground Search and Rescue volunteers provision of service across British Columbiathe only agreement of its kind in Canada. This annual contribution is in addition to approximately 8 million of funding that the Province provides annually to reimburse GSAR groups operational costs for search and rescue deployments, training, and equipment. The Search and Rescue Advisory Committee, and six standing working groups under this Committee, are meeting on a regular basis. The intent of the Search and Rescue Advisory Committee is to provide a forum for collaborating with requesting agencies RCMP, BC Emergency Health Services, etc. and volunteers. The Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness believes that the wider Search and Rescue community, as represented by the Search and Rescue Advisory Committee, should have more influence on the process around how groups achieve capabilities, and how these capabilities are maintained. These questions will be addressed by the Search and Rescue Advisory Committee and the applicable working groups, with the intent of finding an appropriate path forward for all parties and lifting the pause on capabilities.