We are Salt Spring Search and Rescue
Salt Spring Island Search & Rescue has been active in our community since 1989. We are a dedicated group of approximately 40 unpaid professional volunteers trained to search for, rescue and assist missing persons. Our members are highly skilled in teamwork, ground search tactics, first aid, wilderness navigation, tracking, survival, radio communications, high-angle rope rescue, and helicopter safety.
We serve Salt Spring Island and the surrounding Southern Gulf Islands. We also respond to mutual aid requests from neighbouring SAR groups on Vancouver Island and mainland BC.
Salt Spring SAR is the perfect volunteer vocation for islanders with a passion for the outdoors who are eager to challenge themselves, in a friendly and supportive environment.
Lost, injured, or facing natural disaster, we are here 24/7, 365 days/year with NO COST for SAR Services.
SAR has successfully completed fundraising for our new Command Vehicle
Many thanks to all generous donors including 100 Women Who Care, The Royal Canadian Legion, Country Grocer, Foundations and individuals.
The Past
1998 Converted Grumman Bread Van
The current 24 year-old Command Vehicle (CV) has been invaluable over two decades but has reached the end of its useful service. It has been out-of-service frequently and is incapable of accessing many of the areas where searches are required.
While the CV has been able to accommodate up to four management staff, it is clearly an outdated design due to increased demands from a functional standpoint.
The Future
2022 Ford F550 with custom-built Incident Command Box
The new Command Vehicle (CV) will have significant technical and safety up-grades including 4-wheel drive that will greatly expand the areas under which the CV can be deployed.
A reputable manufacturer is now building the new Command Vehicle based on a proven design used by other SAR groups.
The CV will be the operations hub of all search, rescue and emergency activities on Salt Spring and other Southern Gulf Islands.
Membership Recruitment
contact us for more information
Learn rewarding new skills in first aid, wilderness survival and high-angle rope rescue
Save lives and reunite lost people with their family and friends
Join a friendly, enthusiastic group of islanders who are committed to ongoing personal development and community support
Challenge yourself to try something new while helping others on Salt Spring Island and beyond
Be part of an effort that unites more than 3,000 volunteers from all walks of life in 79 SAR groups across British Columbia
May 18th, 2025; 1500hrs, #SSISAR was tasked by @bc_ehs for a #medical #rescue for an hiker with a lower leg injury on the Burgoyne aspect of #mtmaxwell.
Working as an interagency team together with members of @ssifr, responders assessed, stabilized and evacuated the injured individual down the steep technical trail, using multiple rope rescue assists.
Excellent collaboration and coordination led to a great outcome for the subject, who was handed over in stable condition to BCEHS #paramedics for transport to local hospital.
#unpaidprofessionals #bcsara
May 18th 2025,
Ground Search & Rescue
All SAR members take an minimum 80-hour course when they join the team. This course includes the fundamental training in the following areas:
search types and techniques
wilderness navigation (map, compass, GPS)
survival skills / personal preparedness
communications
rope management
rescue techniques
basic tracking
helicopter safety
basic avalanche awareness
basic swift water rescue
Salt Spring Island Search and Rescue (SAR) Society operates under the oversight of the Emergency Management BC (EMBC) program. We operate with dedicated volunteers trained to find and help missing or lost individuals, as well as provide assistance during natural disasters like forest fires and earthquakes.
We are responsible for wilderness and urban ground Search and Rescue missions, including inland waters and tidal shorelines.
Our primary geographic area of responsibility is Salt Spring Island and the southern Gulf Islands, which includes Galiano, Mayne, Pender, Saturna, and more than 50 smaller islands in the vicinity. We also provide mutual aid support to other SAR groups in British Columbia, as requested.
SAR members are skilled in first aid, tracking, wilderness navigation and survival, radio communications, high-angle rope rescue and helicopter safety. The group has been active since 1989 and our team has approximately 40 men and women, ranging in ages from 21 to 70.
Contact:
Salt Spring Search and Rescue
261 Fulford-Ganges Road
Salt Spring Island BC V8K 2K6
Phone: (250) 526-0095
Email: president@ssisar.org
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