Search & Rescue
What We Do
Southern Gulf Island Search & Rescue (SAR) assists the RCMP as an Initial Response Team, providing rapid response to organize a search with local resources, and calling for mutual aid.
We typically respond to between one and three calls per year, ranging from overdue hikers to despondent people who walk away. Our membership has ranged from a high of 20, to our current level of 5 core members.
Pender SAR provides service on behalf of all the Southern Gulf Islands, and is located at Fire Hall #2, 47284 Schooner way.
Our motto is "These things we do, that others may live."
Funding and Operation
Southern Gulf Islands Ground Search & Rescue (SGI GSAR) was formed in 1989 under the auspices of the Provincial Emergency Program (PEP), CRD Emergency Program and RCMP.
Start up funding was provided by PEP and CRD for initial and ongoing training, and CRD/ Mayne Improvement District for equipment. Principle funding for SGI GSAR is still provided by CRD as an Emergency Program Division, and all equipment is owned by CRD.
Pender SAR is operationally supported by PEP, RCMP, SGI Fire Depts, BCAS, CCG, and Parks Canada. Mutual Aid for calls is coordinated by PEP, with heavy reliance on Salt Spring Island SAR, and Saanich SAR (Peninsula Emergency Measures, PEMO).