Prince George Search and Rescue and Nechako Valley Search and Rescue put their lives on the line many times and now they will receive more funding to continue to be there when it matters most.
"We are very pleased and surprised with this announcement. It will allow us to continue to keep our team training and being ready to support our community," Dave Merritt of Prince George Search and Rescue tells PrinceGeorgeMatters. "It does provide us some stability for our day to day operations."
The B.C. government announced today (March 23) that they are providing $18.6 million in one-time funding which will go to ground search and rescue groups throughout the province to be used over the next three years.
"In discussions with BCSARA, I've heard the ground search and rescue community's strong concerns about the need for both an immediate infusion of funding and a clearer path toward long-term sustainable funding," Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General says in a press release. "That's why we're providing a record-level of funding as an immediate top-up of what B.C.'s GSAR groups are already receiving, as well as establishing a joint committee to move more quickly toward developing a sustainable funding model."
We're supporting ground search and rescue groups in BC by providing $18.6 million in funding to help bolster training, provide administrative support and equipment renewals. https://t.co/zc2PXqYT7s @BCSARAssoc @PreparedBC #bcsar pic.twitter.com/LM2QI4Phti
— BC Government News (@BCGovNews) March 23, 2019
The investment is the single largest for GSAR in B.C. history. This will be a 24 per cent increase of $5 million per year in supplemental funding that was announced back in 2016.
Merritt also says the funding will allow Prince George Search and Rescue to replace equipment that times out over the years.
"On behalf of the 80 ground search and rescue groups and 2,500 members across the province, our thanks to the provincial government for the single largest influx of funding for search and rescue to date," Chris Kelly, president, BCSARA adds in the release. "The funds will provide critical core supports over the next three years, while final details are completed in the short term on a sustainable model."
There are 1,500 registered search and rescue volunteers in B.C., which respond to more than 1,600 incidents per year.
Nechako Valley Search and Rescue also says they are pleased with the announcement earlier today (March 23).
"Nechako Valley SAR is delighted to hear today’s announcement. This gives us 3 years of predictable funding we so very much need while the alternative support model is implemented. It is vital we have funding for a number of training courses our members need, along with personal protective equipment for our new members coming on board this year."
