TRAINING

Training curriculum and certification is provided through the Emergency Management Division of the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) on behalf of the BC Provincial Emergency Program (PEP). All SAR Team members must complete basic Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) training within their first year of joining the team. Each SAR team establishes their training requirements based on historical call volumes, hazard analysis and needs assessments. Penticton SAR Team members are trained and certified in the following SAR disciplines:

w Ground Search & Rescue, including wilderness survival, mapping, compass & GPS.
w Tracking
w Communications, VHF, UHF, Sat/Cel, amateur and commercial band.
w High Angle and Embankment Rope Rescue
w Avalanche Awareness and Rescue
w Swift Water Rescue
w Helicopter (Hover Entry/Exit)
w First Medical Responder
w Search & Rescue Management
w Basic and Advanced Incident Management
w Mountain Rescue,
w Police Evidence Search and support
w BC Coroners Service recovery, and
w Equipment maintenance

All training and certification levels range from basic to advanced and Instructor. Many Penticton SAR members are certified in multiple disciplines.

Team members must maintain local knowledge and experience in area parks, mountains and recreational areas. It is important that employment and personal status will support full participation in SAR Operations, training, community activities, and fund raising. An extreme level of commitment is required and expected from all team members dedicated to this community service.

For more information about becoming a member of this organization, please contact us .