Pacific Marine Circle RouteSearch & Rescue
Juan de Fuca Search & Rescue
What We Do
Juan De Fuca Search and Rescue (JDF SAR) provides organized, methodical searching for lost persons. The group is based in Sooke and provides inland waters and ground search and rescue services to the entire JDF electoral area.
The JDF SAR team is a group of over 30 volunteers trained and certified by the Province of BC and the Justice Institute. Volunteers also provide mutual aid to other SAR teams, local RCMP and ambulance services when requested. Members are trained in ground search and rescue, first aid, tracking, wilderness navigation, survival, rope rescue and swiftwater rescue. The team completes an average of 8 to 12 tasks per year, though in some years, the number may exceed twenty tasks. Training is conducted on the first Wednesday, second Saturday and fourth Sunday of each month, at the 2032 Idlemore Road campus in Sooke.
History
Search and Rescue was operated by the Sooke Volunteer Fire Dept until 1983, when Sooke SAR was organized. Sooke SAR was a volunteer organization trained to look for and rescue lost or injured persons. Volunteers raise funds to finance their training and operation, and use their own vehicles and equipment during tasks.
In 2003 Sooke SAR became JDF Ground Search and Rescue. A CRD Bylaw gave the team a budget to purchase vehicles and equipment, training and a building to train in.
Funding & Operation
The program is administered by the CRD, under the Provincial Emergency Program and the Emergency Measures Act of BC. Funding for equipment and supplies is provided by property tax and administered by the CRD. Training and certification are provided by the BC Search and Rescue Association and the Justice Institute of BC. SAR is administered by a CRD committee; the Search Managers, who are certified professionals, have direct charge of operations.
Contact
Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue
PO Box 498
Sooke, BC V9Z 1H4
© Image courtesy of Mary Sanseverino
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