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2021 - A Year in Review saskatoon search and rescue

On-call all the time.

The volunteers at Saskatoon Search and Rescue are prepared to respond 24/7/365. That means we keep our bags packed and our skills sharp so we can assist our agencies of jurisdiction in search and rescue missions anywhere, at any time.

SSAR’s Mission: To assist the Saskatoon Police Service, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Saskatoon Emergency Measures Organization, and other agencies having jurisdiction in addressing community emergencies, particularly in locating lost or missing persons. SSAR also provides community outreach to prevent search emergencies.

SSAR’s Vision: SSAR will be recognized as a leading search and rescue organization within Canada, responding to search emergencies and mitigating harm to search subjects. We will incorporate the latest technology and management systems, as well as effective training, to improve our capacity as concerned citizens and competent searchers. SSAR will be a sustainable charitable and volunteer organization with stable funding and an engaged membership.

ACTIVATIONS

In 2021, Saskatoon Search and Rescue responded to nine activations for missing persons; eight with the Saskatoon Police Service and one with the RCMP.

The nine search activations included:

  • 3 missing children under 16
  • 3 elderly persons with dementia
  • 2 adults with cognitive disability
  • 1 adult remains recovery (RCMP)

More than 360 person-hours were spent searching by members of SSAR.

PROJECT LIFESAVER SASKATOON

Since bringing Project Lifesaver (PLS) to Saskatoon in 2018, SSAR has brought peace of mind and support to families of more than 85 individuals who have been fitted with a locating bracelet.

We ended 2021 with 48 active clients with a roughly 60/40 split between youth and aging clients.

Along with the two activations for Project Lifesaver clients, we also had one reverse search where the Saskatoon Police Service located a wandering individual, noticed their PLS bracelet, contacted us to help identify the individual and returned them to their caregiver.

Our PLS team changed batteries, delivered countless supplies to caregivers, and supported Hospital Staff, Medical Social Workers, and Care Home Directors in caring for our clients and understanding the program and its benefits.

We were very excited to receive four new transmitter kits from Project Lifesaver International Headquarters. It was a second-place prize for their marked car photo contest.

We are grateful to donor support which allows us to continue to offer this life-saving service at no cost to families.

Every donation counts.

Other Search and Rescue chapters have reached out to SSAR for advice and direction on starting the program in their area. We offer full support to new Project Lifesaver initiatives and look forward to seeing the program expand within Saskatchewan.

If you have a loved one who wanders due to a cognitive disorder such as dementia, Alzheimer's, autism, Down Syndrome or an acquired brain injury, please go to www.projectlifesaversaskatoon.org for more information. Or contact us at projectlifesaversaskatoon@gmail.com.

TRAINING

January saw 12 new members certified as searchers after a prolonged training timeline due to COVID.

Training for new and existing members was a combination of online and primarily outdoors in-person events. COVID protocols included masking, limited numbers in shared vehicles and 2m distancing whenever possible.

Training topics included wilderness first aid and evacuation...

...communication, navigation, near water search skills, and truck and trailer training.

All twelve new members were certified as Project Lifesaver Electronic Search Specialists and several existing members were recertified.

For many members, the training highlight was a session on tracking from guest presenter Brad Matushewski from London, Ontario SAR.

Four members completed their Incident Command System (ICS) Level 200.

And a special rural search field day was held with members of Battlefords Search and Rescue.

Despite the restrictions imposed by COVID, Saskatoon Search and Rescue members spent close to 3,200 hours in training during 2021.

Thanks to the many existing members who shared their knowledge and skills leading mini-training sessions...

...and to the dedicated training team for keeping the rest of the team on their toes.

SARscene 2021 - Celebrating from Coast to Coast to Coast

September 25 - October 3

SSAR members worked with the Search and Rescue Saskatchewan Association of Volunteers (SARSAV) which was the host of the first virtual SARscene conference and virtual SAR games.

The national conference attracted participants from all Canadian provinces and territories as well as 11 other countries.

In total, more than 1,400 attendees (including speakers and exhibitors), took in the event.

Many were able to attend only because it was online.

Because Saskatoon was the host city, SSAR members were heavily involved in the planning, along with reps from other SARSAV chapters.

SSAR members served as Project Manager and were on organizing committees for professional development, special events, exhibits, SAR games, silent auction and finance.

At the conference itself, SSAR and SARSAV members served as flag bearers...

...moderators and speakers.

We were also able to highlight local expertise with our agencies of jurisdiction such as the Saskatoon Police Service Air Support Unit.

SSAR members involved in the conference dedicated more than 1,500 hours to ensure the conference was informative...

...and fun.

DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS

Saskatoon Search and Rescue members are unpaid professionals who volunteer their time, skills and energy because they believe in SSAR’s mission and vision.

In addition to time spent on activations and training, members also spent many hours on administration, logistics and maintenance, chapter and provincial level meetings, AdventureSmart programs as well as fundraising and awareness raising.

Thank you to all members who took on formal roles within the organization.

  • President – Jonathan Dean
  • Vice President – Joel Karstens
  • Treasurer – Vanessa Schneider
  • Secretary – Mark Wells
  • Training Director – Rebecca Basset
  • Membership Director – Daryll Sewell
  • Communications Director – Carla Eager
  • Logistics Director – Chuck Ingerman
  • Fundraising Director – Sean Taylor
  • Preventative SAR Director – Brian Fehr
  • Project Lifesaver Director – Sherri Denis
  • Directors at Large - Colin Federow

Special thanks to long-time board members Kent Orosz and Shelley Ballard-McKinlay who chose to step down from their positions at the 2021 AGM.

SSAR members volunteered more than 4,800 hours for the betterment and safety of our community during 2021.

FUNDAISING and COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

SSAR members are unpaid professionals so strong community support means a lot to us. Many of our public fundraising events have been cancelled due to covid, making all donations particularly appreciated this year.

SSAR members were happy to be nominated for the Innovation Credit Union Community Impact Campaign by someone who appreciated our efforts in building and supporting our community. SSAR members were thrilled to accept the $2,500 donation.

We are grateful for the support we receive from Saskatoon Police Service ($5,000) and the Saskatoon Police Association ($1,000). Your generous donations enable our professional volunteers to assist our agencies having jurisdiction in meaningful ways.

Photo courtesy of SPS Identification Unit.

Thank you to SaskTel and TelCare for your contribution to Project Lifesaver Saskatoon. Your donation of $1860 was used to purchase four new transmitters and supplies for one year. That means peace of mind for four more families who can participate in the PLS program for free.

Thank you to Woody's RV World for trailer maintenance and tire install, and thanks to Denray Tire for providing the tires.

We are grateful for other donations including vehicle warning lights from NAPA in St. Albert, much needed batteries from Interstate Batteries and financial donations from many private donors whose support allows us to stay ready and support our community.

SSAR is grateful to the Saskatoon Fire Department and the City of Saskatoon for providing office, garage and storage space, and to Innovation Place Research Park for allowing us access to their buildings for training.

SSAR participates in a variety of community events to raise extra funds and to raise our profile in the community. Examples include providing communications support during the Santa Claus parade and the Nutrien Fireworks Festival.

SSAR members participated in the Meewasin Clean Up, spending several evenings making the riverbank safer for all users by removing truckloads of garbage. Thank you to Eco-Friendly Saskatchewan for the $500 Action Grant.

More than 120 children learned about safety in the wilderness during our in-person and virtual presentations thanks to members of the Preventative Search and Rescue Committee. Seven new members were certified under AdventureSmart to deliver various presentations and awareness programs.

SSAR works with a variety of local groups to present preventative search and rescue information. Thank you to the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, Girl Guides, Scouts Canada, and Sask Outdoors Coordinators.

Our social media following continues to grow with more than 3,280 FaceBook likes and more than 1,900 Twitter followers. Thank you to all who like and share our posts.

At Saskatoon Search and Rescue, we depend on the generosity of people, businesses and organizations who believe in what we do.

SSAR is run entirely by dedicated volunteers. Community support keeps us going.

To make a donation, please visit the donations page of our website. You can also learn more about our sponsors and donors.

THANK YOU to ALL our supporters!

We look forward to continuing to support our community in 2022.