History of BRSARA

On May 12, 2012, Brandon Regional Search and Rescue Association (BRSARA) held their inaugural meeting as a non-profit chapter of Search and Rescue Manitoba (SARMAN). At the request of the Manitoba Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC), BRSARA developed a mandate to assist in locating and providing medical attention for missing persons, providing Search and Rescue (SAR) resources to agencies having jurisdiction for SAR incidents in Manitoba.

            Founding members Robin Ponto and Brian Fowler volunteered together with Civil Air Search and Rescue Association Manitoba (CASARA), where years of dedication, training and experience demonstrated a need for a trained volunteer Ground Search and Rescue team.

            As testimony to the group’s dedication in professionalism, training, response, commitment to the community and a commitment to BRSARA’s mission to “Serve, so others may live”; this group has achieved an exemplary reputation. BRSARA is the first SAR team in Manitoba trained to “First Responder” level.  Ready to deploy, BRSARA volunteers are dedicated to ground search and rescue, and has demonstrated resiliency where members volunteered collectively, over 500 hours in one, five-day exhaustive search.

            The role of a SAR first responder is to protect life, protect infrastructure, provide resilience in community, and co-ordinate between SAR providers. BRSARA is called to provide AdventureSmart educational programming to schools and groups of varies age groups and sizes. Additionally, the community has recognized BRSARA as a reliable, and professional team of first aid responders for many events, such as adventure races held in the Riding Mountain National Park. We are proud to serve Brandon and the surrounding area.