WHEREAS Search and Rescue organizations provide an essential service to British Columbias visitors and residents; AND WHEREAS the funding for Search and Rescue organizations is a mix of private fundraising events, local government grants and other grants: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities petition the provincial government to provide adequate, predictable funding for Search and Rescue organizations.
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General Ministry is considering a number of strategies to address the ongoing funding concerns of volunteer Search and Rescue SAR organizations. The Ministry currently provides 1.7 million towards the operational costs incurred through SAR responses and contributes 345,000 annually towards SAR training. The Ministry is also assisting SAR groups with accessing federal funding through the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program and the New Initiatives Fund. Within the Province of British Columbia Province, many volunteer SAR organisations have entered into service agreements with local authorities including regional districts. Some of these agreements include the establishment of a regional district SAR function to ensure a secure source of funding is available for the local SAR volunteer group.