Brandon Regional Search and Rescue Association Strengthening Canada’s Disaster Response: SARVAC’s First-Ever MIST Workshop Brings GSAR Members Together
In MArch , 31 GSAR members from Coast to Coast to Coast gathered in Toronto, ON, for SARVAC’s first-ever Mission Incident Support Team (MIST) Workshop!
This workshop is designed to provide advanced incident management training, enabling participants to take on command and general staff roles within the MIST for future SARVAC HWF deployments. The training came just in time for that year’s flood and fire season, strengthening SARVAC’s ability to respond to the growing number of hazards impacting communities across Canada.
As we wrapped up the final day of the workshop, we had covered a wide range of topics, including:
SARVAC HWF governance and operational overview
Emergency management in Canada
Information flow and dissemination
Responsibilities and risk assessment
Operational planning and technology
Participants also engaged in breakout sessions, solidifying their understanding of key concepts to enhance their ability to support disaster response efforts.
Together, we accumulated 598 years of GSAR experience. With this combination of training and expertise, we became an unstoppable force ready to respond to any challenge.
A huge thank you to all participants! We looked forward to working with you in future responses.
Want to learn more about SARVAC’s HWF program?
Visit http://www.sarvachwf.ca!
Thank you, to all the volunteers who volunteered as members of Brandon Regional Search and Rescue.
From Conducting Searches, providing education to the community through ADVENTURE SMART presentations, providing First Aid to community events and continuing to train to be able to provide our expertise when required , you have made a difference to our community. in 2024 alone members have contributed 5096 hours of volunteer work to the Westman Region of Manitoba. In addition they have contributed 831 hours of their time in active searches for lost individuals in Manitoba.
If you wish to be a member of the team and assist your community, please submit an application.
The team had the opportunity to train and practice our field skills on 27 April. Bruce Bumstead, our training officer , designed a course in the Brandon Hills where we had to navigate to a start point for a search using only map and compass to improve these skills. We were broken into two teams ( A and B)a nd commenced to our individual start points
Once in the proper location, we then commenced a search for clues that Bruce had placed previously.
Team B started in the North-West corner of the Search area and Team A started at the South West Corner of the search area.
Both teams had to practice Navigation, in maintaining East to West patterns to ensure coverage, while also ensuring that we maintained proper spacing to cover the required area. While searching, we had to observe the area in front, above and behind as we walked.
On completion of the exercise, Bruce was able to plot, using our GPS tracks, the area covered to confirm what areas were covered and areas that might have been missed. This ensures that we cover the required area . The outside members on each team had the GPSs, so the area in between was covered by the remainder of the Teams.
Once again thanks to Bruce for setting up the training and to all the members who were available to take the training.
Reminder to all Search and Rescue Responders that in order to support our communities, we have to be prepared ourselves, so that we can deploy while minimizing the worry about our family in the event of an emergency.
| Fire Chiefs Applaud Federal Increase to Volunteer Firefighter Tax Credit |
 Veuillez appuyer ici pour la version en français FIRE CHIEFS APPLAUD FEDERAL INCREASE TO VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER TAX CREDIT Ottawa – April 10, 2024 – Today, the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) applauds the announcement by the Minister of Emergency Preparedness that Federal Budget 2024 would include a measure to double the Volunteer Firefighter and Search and Rescue Tax Credit from $3,000 to $6,000. “This is a strong and meaningful recognition of the essential firefighting and search and rescue personnel that volunteer in our communities every day and particularly during a grueling wildfire season”, says Chief Ken McMullen President of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC). “We can’t do enough for these individuals, but this is a great start”. The initiative to raise the tax credit started in British Columbia several years ago and has since been championed by NDP, MP Gord Johns, supported by more than 17,000 Canadians, 100s of communities who have passed resolutions, the CAFC, and like-minded associations, and dozens of MPs from across all parties. Over the past two years, fire chiefs, their departments, and many others from across the country have generated data, prepared briefs, signed petitions, contacted their MPs, asked local councils to pass resolutions, and more, in support of these incredible people. Results of the Great Canadian Fire Census helped to paint the powerful but precarious picture of volunteer firefighter involvement across the country. “This type of volunteerism is potentially dangerous and disruptive, so we couldn’t be more appreciative of the message this sends to one of our most precious resources”. Says Chief McMullen. “To all volunteer firefighters, Canada sees you and needs you. We hope this is a testament to our collective appreciation and we will continue to advocate on your behalf with our friends and partners”, he adds. The association is hopeful that the federal government will continue to increase the tax credit over time to the $10,000 as proposed by MP Gord Johns in Bill C-310. “This is a good investment in great people at a very good time. We are stronger for it and so appreciative”, says CAFC. |
Congratulations to Brandon Reginal Search and Rescue team member, Jeff Bond for successfully completing the 100 Mile race at the MONTANE YUKON ARCTIC ULTRA 2024 in February . He completed the 100 miles in 54 hours, 9 minutes and 6 seconds.
We are always proud of our members and their accomplishments
Photo by Mark Kelly Photography
Brandon Regional Search and Rescue Association 