If you are interested in becoming a member of Brandon Regional Search and Rescue, the next course is coming up shortly.
REQUIREMENTS:
The following is a list of requirements that must be current and/or within a reasonable expiration date, and are necessary to submit/indicate with original certificates during the application process:
- Over the age of 18 and in good physical condition
- Valid Class 5 Driver’s License (with the ability to travel safely in all seasons)
- Criminal Records check (renewed yearly)
- Vulnerable Persons check (renewed yearly)
- Child Abuse check (renewed yearly)
- Current Standard First Aid with CPR C
The following additional requirements are necessary in order to be considered an active Search and Rescue volunteer. You must be willing to fulfill these requirements in a reasonable time frame:
- Obtain Ground Search and Rescue – Basic course through OFC
- Obtain Ground Search and Rescue Winter Survival course through OFC
- Be willing to participate in additional training opportunities (both monthly training expectations as well as any additional opportunities as needed)
- You must purchase and maintain essential clothing and equipment, including your own 24-hour survival pack which is required for all events, both training and rescue.
Application Process
If you have decided this opportunity is great fit for you, then please contact BRSARA using the Contact page of this website, including your email address and your phone number (we will contact you by email unless you request to be contacted by phone).
After receiving your request, we will respond with a Volunteer Application form. Please return a physical copy of this form to the address as indicated at the top of the form, along with a cover letter and three professional references. If the application is approved, you will be contacted for an interview. Please bring originals of all required certificates, including criminal record check and proof of Standard First Aid with you to the interview.
On 23 august, our team worked with the Civilian Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA) to assist in the training of their pilots, navigators and spotters in a mock aircraft exercise. The goal of their exercise was to locate a crashed aircraft then respond on the ground to the crash site.

The exercise involved CASARA teams and Aircraft from all three Prairie provinces.

Based out of Brandon, the CASARA teams had to search a wide variety of terrain in Western Manitoba.

Under the direction of Brian Fowell, we simulated a crashed aircraft near Virden Manitoba. Our team members then simulated the casualties at the crash site as well as provided safety on site and assessed the performance of the rescuers..



The first aircraft was attracted to the crash site using mirrors and strobe lights. upon locating the site they then landed in Virden and proceeded to the site where they successfully located all the passengers and performed First Aid where required.


A second aircraft successfully located the aircraft as part of their search pattern and proceeded on the ground to the site where they too were able to successfully provide First Aid to the casualties.

Once again, thanks to CASARA for inviting us to assist and to the Brandon Regional Search and Rescue Association volunteers for their effort in making a realistic and interesting exercise.

MANITOBA WILDFIRE EVACUATION SUPPORT Lisez la version française iciEVACUATION SUPPORT: UPDATE Wildfires in northern Manitoba have forced thousands to evacuate to Winnipeg and other centers. The Province is preparing large-scale shelter operations to accommodate up to 40,000 evacuees. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() The Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC) has received confirmation that Manitoba has formally requested federal assistance for the SARVAC-Humanitarian Workforce to support shelter setup & staffing, food services, transportation, and first aid. Our team is working closely with Public Safety Canada and the Manitoba Government. While no formal deployment has been initiated at this time, we are working closely with Public Safety Canada, the Province of Manitoba, the Provincial Association(SARMAN Volunteer Association) and our partner NGOs, to determine how best SARVAC can support nationallyWinnipeg Search and Rescue (WINSAR) continues to support the Canadian Red Cross with the setup and staffing of evacuation centres on an as needed basis. With more evacuees expected to arrive in Winnipeg, their team has been assisting in preparing the Winnipeg Convention Centre. Together with the Canadian Red Cross and American Red Cross, they are working to ensure those displaced by the fires have a safe and welcoming place to rest.We’ll continue to share updates as more information becomes available. HOW VOLUNTEERS SUPPORT OPERATIONS (Photo: Summer 2024 Labrador City, Dylan Haynes)With wildfires continuing to threaten communities across Canada—Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) volunteers stand ready. If requested, trained GSAR volunteers are prepared to deploy through the Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC) Humanitarian Workforce (HWF) program. Insured, deployable GSAR teams can respond at the Municipal, Provincial, or Federal level—coordinating Volunteers Can Support Wildfire Operations SARVAC-HWF GSAR teams are trained and equipped to assist in a variety of roles, including: Search and Rescue/Recovery First Aid Incident Management Communications Geomatics Logistics Wellness Checks Traffic Management General Labour LEARN MORE ![]() Visit our website: SARVAC.ca to learn more about SARVAC and the Humanitarian Workforce and how GSAR teams are supporting disaster response efforts across Canada: https://sarvachwf.caTHANK YOU ![]() A heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers, emergency responders, and partners working tirelessly to protect our communities. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by wildfires—across Canada and beyond. Copyright © 2025 The Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada, All rights reserved.Our mailing address: 24 McNamara Drive Paradise, NL A1L 0A6 |
When Dallin Beaumier went on a trip on Vancouver Island, being prepared helped save his life. In particular he describes the benefit of having a whistle. Read about it in this CBC article.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/missing-hiker-della-falls-dallin-beaumier-1.7583066

Jeff Ross, left, and Robin Ponto hold the Matrice 350 RTK drone that the Brandon Regional Search and Rescue will use. (Chelsea Kemp/CBC)
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/brandon-regional-search-rescue-drone-1.7537113

Robin Ponto, chairman for the Brandon Regional Search and Rescue Association (left), and BRSARA member Jeff Ross are shown with the DJI Matrice 350 RTK drone that Ross recently purchased. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

The DJI Matrice 350 RTK drone, equipped with a thermal camera, will add to the Brandon Regional Search and Rescue Association’s tools for searches. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
For the full story view the Brandon Sun Article – Drone gift will aid search and rescue operations – Brandon Sun
Brandon Regional Search and Rescue Association 




(Photo: Summer 2024 Labrador City, Dylan Haynes)
