Brandon Regional Search and Rescue Association 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
 Celebrating GSAR Responders: HWF Roundtable Webinar |
Join Us for a Special Roundtable Webinar Honouring GSAR Responders Across Canada In celebration of Emergency Preparedness Week, the Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC) invites you to a dynamic roundtable webinar featuring volunteers from the SARVAC-Humanitarian Workforce (HWF) Program. This online panel will highlight the dedication and impact of Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) responders who have answered the call during real-world emergencies—from last year’s Full Scale Exercise (FSX) in Ottawa to the wildfire evacuations in Labrador City What to Expect: Firsthand accounts of deployment experiences Insights into the SARVAC HWF Program and its national impact. A deeper look at how GSAR volunteers contribute to Canada’s emergency response network. Whether you’re a current volunteer, considering joining, or simply passionate about emergency management and community resilience, this is a valuable opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired. Stay tuned for our upcoming guest speaker announcement. Have a topic you’d like us to cover during the webinar? Send your suggestions to: socialmedia@sarvac.ca — we’d love to hear from you. Let’s celebrate the heart of SAR in Canada—our volunteers. MAY7th 7:00–08:15PM EST REGISTER NOW Learn More About the HWF Program: Watch last year’s info session and explore our YouTube playlist  https://adventuresmart.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e5cb478931a52f174bae095f8&id=5a7c1156de&e=618061b191 |
| A Special Thank You To all participants and volunteers involved in Ground Search and Rescue across Canada thank you for your commitment, compassion, and courage. Your efforts are making a lasting difference in communities across the country, and this event is a celebration of your remarkable contributions. We’re honoured to share your stories.Let’s celebrate the heart of SAR in Canada—our volunteers. |
| Copyright © *2025* *The Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada*, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 24 McNamara Drive, Paradise, NL A1L 0A6 |
Brandon Regional Search and Rescue Association 