News Letter
Greetings from the members of Bancroft Search & Rescue. We're glad you found us.
Bancroft Search and Rescue (BSAR) is a non-profit, charitable organization, founded in
May 2000, whose primary mission is to provide a trained group of volunteers when called
upon by the Ontario Provincial Police. The O.P.P. is mandated to provide search and rescue
services in all areas of Ontario under their jurisdication and their Emergency Response
Team (ERT) is used for this purpose. They provide swift and efficient service and most
searches are completed successfully within four to six hours. Should a search go longer,
or involve unusual circumstances, the O.P.P. can call upon our trained civilian volunteers.
When BSAR is called out it operates under the command of the O.P.P. Search Manager, and
its members are covered under the O.P.P.’s compensation program.
Although our service area is generally considered to be that of the Bancroft O.P.P.
detachment, we are prepared, like other SAR groups, to assist in neighbouring areas.
All active members are trained to SAR I (level one search & rescue) which includes basic
map and compass skills, distance measuring skills (tally walking), knowledge of rudimentary
bush survival skills and basic first aid. Search team members require good physical
health , confidence working in a wilderness environment, ability to receive and carry out
instructions, ability to work as a team member, willingness to work in adverse weather
conditions and take the time to get training, practice and provide emergency assistance
when required . There are also roles for those not able to spend days in the bush.
Once a year members meet to elect a Board of Directors who assign themselves executive
duties for the unit, (Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Directors at Large).
Appointed by the Board, from members of the Board or from the general membership, are
Chairs for the following committees: Equipment & Logistics, Training, Communications,
Public Relations and Fund Raising.
Members of the executive attend the annual meeting of the Ontario Search and Rescue
Volunteer Association (OSARVA) to stay up to date on current issues, network and
share information.The 2004 meeting is being staged at O.P.P. general headquarters in Orillia.
Seven members of the executive were able (with the financial assistance of the Bancroft
Area Community Policing Advisory Committee) to attend SARScene in Kingston in 2003.
The national trade show and workshop event organized by the National Search and Rescue
Secretariat with assistance from OSARVA and the O.P.P. was a valuable learning and
networking experience.
For 2004, our primary goals are to ensure recertification of existing members and provision
of training sessions for those keen on joining our ranks. While the O.P.P. didn't need
our services during the last calendar year, we will be ready when called upon.
As an organization with no funding source, we will continue to look for ways of
generating the money required for training and equipment and to increase our ability to
inform the public about safe travel in remote areas.
We are always pleased to hear from anyone interested in participating in or supporting our
organization and would be happy to respond to inquiries. Meanwhile, if you are venturing
into the great outdoors, please do so with the knowledge required to ensure the safety and
safe return of yourself and your companions. While we can't necessarily endorse all the
views contained in the sites on our "links" section, there is a wealth of useful information
there and more to be had on the net and in print.
Our next update will follow the OSARVA A.G.M. for 2004.
Mike Beeston,
Chair,
Bancroft Search and Rescue
