Penticton Search and Rescue answered 40 calls for service in 2017.
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December 29, 2017 - 11:00 AM
PENTICTON - As 2017 comes to an end, Penticton Search and Rescue manager Randy Brown reflected on the year’s efforts by the dedicated group of volunteers.
“I am happy to say the members of the team can be proud of their service record to date. We were able to respond effectively, in a safe manner and complete the tasks in a timely manner,” Brown says, noting the 40 volunteers answered 40 tasks and spent over 8,000 hours of volunteer time in response to emergencies and training.
In 2017, Penticton Search and Rescue responded to 40 calls, down from the 2016 high of 57, locating lost persons, evacuating injured victims from the backcountry and assisting in fire evacuations. Brown says the Penticton team also offered assistance to other search and rescue teams in Nelson, Kelowna, Kamloops, Vernon, Oliver and Princeton.
Brown is hopeful the reduction in callouts from 2016 to 2017 is due to work done by the B.C. Adventure Smart program, a website offering tips to those using the backcountry.
The search and rescue group will continue to move forward in 2018 with training of 14 new recruits as they begin a 70-hour ground search and rescue course. Brown says following training the new recruits will be added to the team’s active duty roster in time for summer.
Penticton Search and Rescue began 40 years ago and is continually evolving to meet the increasing demand for backcountry emergency services in the area surrounding Summerland, Okanagan Falls, Naramata and Penticton.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2017