Join Comox Valley SAR
Membership
Thank you for your interest in Comox Valley Search and Rescue (CVSAR). We are regularly on the lookout for people who wish to volunteer for their community.
If you are interested in becoming a member, please read through the following information to see if you are a fit and can make the necessary commitment. You will find application information at the bottom of the page.
CVSAR as an organization is committed to inclusivity and diversity. We encourage applications from people of all national and ethic groups, abilities as well as gender identities.
Member in Training Programme
Upon acceptance into CVSAR you will become a Member in Training (MIT). A MIT is a probationary, non-voting member of the team who is engaged in learning the skills required to become a full team member. This can be an up to 2 year period during which the MIT participates in regular training, callouts, and receives ground search and rescue certification (the GSAR course). MITs have to pass a practical and written examination, as well as meet attendance and other performance criteria before being brought on as a full and active member.
Ideal Candidates
The ideal candidate will possess all or most of the following criteria:
- High level of physical fitness (e.g. able to carry a 40 litre backpack)
- High level of local area knowledge (e.g. Mt Washington, Strathcona Park and rural Comox Valley)
- Experience in a variety of outdoor activities (e.g. hiking, snowshoeing, ski touring, climbing, whitewater, camping)
- First Aid & CPR
- Owns most of the following outdoor equipment in good repair (e.g. appropriate outdoor clothing, overnight backpack (40 litres or larger), hiking boots, compass)
- Able to commit 3 years minimum to the team
- Resident of the Comox Valley
- Must be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Own a reliable vehicle with a valid class 5 license
- Special skills or experience will be considered assets, including emergency services, guiding background, ski patrol, fire fighting, computers, radios, mechanics, media and/or fundraising.
Application
We encourage people who are considering applying for membership to take this free online introductory SAR course developed in cooperation with the BC Search and Rescue Association, the Justice Institute of BC and the RCMP. While this is not a requirement for membership on the team it will give you some idea about how SAR works in BC.
CVSAR runs membership intakes periodically as the need arises. Intakes generally follow the process below:
- The team issues a recruiting notice on the web site, social media and in the local newspapers.
- The team schedules an evening session to provide more information and answer questions.
- Prospective members submit a written application and cover letter.
- Applications are reviewed and qualified candidates are invited to an interview.
- Applicants attend an interview of about 30 minutes with members of our recruitment committee.
- Selection of new members is made as quickly as possible after the interviews, and all those interviewed are informed of the results.
- If you are not selected we will let you know. Those who are selected will need to complete a criminal record check (free for volunteers) and submit an up to date driver’s abstract from ICBC.
- New members join the group on a probationary basis for a minimum period of 3 months before being invited to take the GSAR course. Invitation to the course will be based on attitude and fit with the team, in combination with attendance to team training nights.
Any applications that we receive between intakes are evaluated and kept on file, and we will contact you when the next intake occurs.
Questions? E-mail us at membership@cvgsar.com
Questions & Answers
Who is CVSAR?
CVSAR is a skilled team of volunteers who search for missing persons in the Comox Valley. Our mandate also includes wilderness rescue. Our area ranges from the Oyster River in the north, Cook Creek in the south, Buttle Lake in the west to Georgia Strait in the east, including Denman and Hornby Islands. We work closely with other BC Search and Rescue groups to provide mutual aid to other BC communities.
Who funds CVSAR?
While we receive limited government funding, this is insufficient to cover expenses. The team also receives donations from grateful individuals and families and applies for available grants (from both the private and public sectors). In addition, team members spend significant amounts of their time fundraising.
How often are you called out?
Callouts depend on the frequency that people get lost or require rescue but are more frequent when the weather is conducive to outdoor activities. Over the past several years the group has averaged 40 callouts per year.
How long do the callouts last?
Callouts can range in time from approximately one hour to overnight, if a forced camp in the backcountry is required. Some tasks span multiple days, although individual members work in rotations or shifts.
How many people are on your team?
CVSAR has 60 members but not all members are active all the time.
Teams are never deployed into the field with less than two people.
What is the Ground Search And Rescue (GSAR) course?
GSAR Training is provided through Emergency Management BC (EMBC) and the Justice Institute of BC. The GSAR course is required for all members of CVGSAR. It includes both lectures and practical sessions on evenings and weekends and covers a wide range of topics including: radio use, basic rope work, basic first aid, navigation using maps, compass and GPS, search techniques, swift water awareness, and survival skills. The GSAR course is conducted based on need so new MITs may have to wait many months before being fully operational. Volunteers are expected to obtain their OFA1 or equivalent First Aid on their own before they can be certified for GSAR.
What is the time commitment required?
Being a member of CVSAR is a huge time commitment. Each member can spend literally hundreds of hours a year on team activities. General training is Wednesday nights, plus one weekend per month; there is a minimum requirement of 30 hours of general training per year to be field active. There is additional training for specialty teams such as rope and swift water once or twice a month – both these team require a minimum of 20 hours training per year. In addition, time is required for business meetings, special courses and other activities like fundraising, community events or education. Call-outs are often at night in bad weather.
The team consumes a lot of members’ free time.
The time commitment cannot be emphasized enough. We are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It will impact every aspect of your life. You must have an understanding and supportive family, and ideally a work situation that will tolerate you leaving with minimal warning.
What is the skill and equipment requirement?
CVSAR is not a hiking club, nor will we turn you into a mountaineer. Our training is to enhance skills that you already have. It is preferred that applicants already have experience in a variety of outdoor situations (i.e. hiking, climbing, mountaineering, backcountry skiing, snowshoeing).
Do you get paid?
No. Everybody is a volunteer, providing their own time for training and searches. In addition everyone provides his or her own personal equipment. Some expenses are paid, such as gas for driving to a task, and the team provides most specialty equipment. However almost everything else is paid for by the team members themselves.
How old do I have to be to join?
You must be 19 or older (or 16 with parent/guardian approval).
Do you have roles for people who don’t go into the field?
Yes, not everyone goes into the field. There is a full range of necessary support roles i.e. communications, media and public relations, fundraising etc.. We have an Support program for people who do not wish to go into the field
Support members must still complete the full GSAR training, except for the overnight component.