The B.C. Search and Rescue Association is seeking the provincial government's support for a funding model that would allow member organizations to get away from relying on gaming grants and fundraising events.
On behalf of its 80 member organizations across B.C., including Prince George Search and Rescue, the association is asking Victoria to commit between $4.4 million and $9.2 million a year and for local governments to provide a further $2 million.
Chris Mushumanski, an association regional director, said search and rescue groups have seen the number of call outs rise to about 1,400 last year from 400 in 1991, which means less time for the volunteer-based groups to fill out grant applications and raise funds in general.
"Currently, the provincial government funds SAR through a variety of means," Mushumanski said. "The primary one is through gaming grants...they are extremely time consuming and are quite of a burden in terms of applying annually.
"And the other piece to it is that there is no guarantee that the application is going to be successful."
Prince George Search and Rescue search manager Dale Bull said in recent years, the group has applied for the $100,000 maximum allowed under the gaming grant program but has never received the full amount.
"Sometimes it varies only by a little, sometimes more," Bull said. "Last year we were originally denied a large chunk but we were able to appeal that and did receive more."
He called the process of applying onerous, "not to mention having to deal with the appeal process or audits. If audited, that can be quite intensive."
Current overall funding for search and rescue groups in B.C. adds up to nearly $8.9 million, according to a draft proposal.
The provincial government's Emergency Management B.C. covers about $3.7 million of the total while local authorities chip in another $1 million. Gaming grants make up $2.3 million and other fund raising accounts for $1.5 million.
The proposal sets out three scenarios, beginning with one that would see the B.C. Search and Rescue Association receive nearly $6.4 million to cover the cost of 11 items, including training, personal protective equipment, and licensing and insurance.
The middle scenario calls for slightly more than $8.5 million which would also pay for capital replacement and building costs. And the top-end version proposes slightly less than $11.2 million and, in exchange, the provincial association would take over the administration of reimbursements from Emergency Management B.C. for out-of-pocket expenses.
Each of the provincial association's 80 members have been asked to write a letter to be included in the organization's package to the provincial government near the end of this year.
More information on the proposal is posted at bcsara.com while information on how to prepare for a trip into the outdoors is available at adventuresmart.ca.
