General Information
Squamish Search and Rescue is a volunteer program providing services primarily within the district of Squamish and its surrounding wilderness areas. Occasionally the team may also be called on to assist other teams throughout the province during large scale responses. In the course of these duties, the men and women of the Squamish SAR team will typically respond to about 50 calls per year.
In addition to emergency response operations, the SAR team also participates in a number of community events throughout the year. Education and public information is also quickly becoming an important part of SAR operations. These education programs are delivered year round to schools, youth organizations, and wilderness recreation groups.
The Search and Rescue team is a division of the Squamish Emergency Program, which is jointly administered by the District of Squamish and the Squamish Emergency Program Society, a registered non-profit charitable organization. The society is governed by a board of executive officers, who have been elected from the program membership. All members of the Search and Rescue team are members in good standing with the SEP Society.

Application Procedure
Applications are received throughout the year with information sessions held when the number of applications warrants. Interviews are then carried out and short-listed candidates are interviewed to review their qualifications and general suitability as team members.
The SAR team conducts recruiting as available membership drops below acceptable service levels. New members are brought on to the team as MIT’s (members in training) for a probationary period of up to one year. During this period MIT’s may be called upon to assist with team operations. 

Please mail the application to:
Squamish Emergency Program
PO Box 310
Squamish, BC V8B A03  
or fax: (604) 815-4316

Application Form.pdf

Applicant Requirements and Skills
Prospective members require wilderness skills and familiarity with traveling in the backcountry. You must be physically fit, have good knowledge of the local parks and trails. Members are required to have adequate personal equipment that will allow them to operate safely and effectively in the mountains, for at least a 24 hour period, in all seasons.

Time Commitment
This point cannot be emphasized enough. The team will consume a large portion of your free time. After the initial GSAR course, training is one evening every other week. There is also at least one Saturday or Sunday a month, plus specialized courses usually offered through the Justice Institute of BC.
Other commitments include participation in public education, community events and fundraising. Emergency responses can occur anytime, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and in any kind of weather and terrain, and can last many hours to days.

Training
Prospective members will be required to complete a training program in Ground Search and Rescue, administered by the JIBC. The GSAR program is the basic level for personnel on field operations and responses. Upon completion, members who meet the requirements of the Provincial Emergency Program may apply for active membership.
Following the initial GSAR training program, the team meets once every other week for routine training. Specialized groups of the team may train more frequently as needed to stay proficient. Members are expected to attend the majority of routine training sessions to stay active in the team.
Although they are volunteers, the life saving service provided by the members of the Squamish Search and Rescue team requires that they maintain the standards of unpaid professionals in assisting municipal, provincial, and federal agencies.

Squamish Search and Rescue Team Role
The role of Squamish Search and Rescue includes the following:
- Assist RCMP and BC Ambulance in the successful search and rescue of missing and injured persons.
- Assisting municipal fire departments in the rescue of trapped or injured persons.
- Assisting RCMP and Provincial Coroners Service in body recovery operations.
- Assisting municipal, provincial, and federal agencies in search, rescue, communications and other roles during civil emergencies.
- Promoting education in outdoor safety and survival.

Note to Applicant
After submitting this application form you may receive a letter or telephone call requesting your attendance at an interview, or asking you to re-apply at a later date if the team compliment is full.Please submit your application to the District of Squamish Municipal Hall for consideration.

Thank you for your interest.