HOW WE DO IT

As a 100% volunteer-lead, non-profit organization, all SAR Alberta team members absorb the cost of training, time off work, and personal equipment. 

MV SAR relies exclusively on fundraising and government grants, as well as the sheer grit and dedication of our committed members, to remain proficient in our skill competency, having functional and proper equipment, and remaining operational overall. 

Our team makes dedicated efforts to fundraise and gain exposure in various ways, such as Casinos, Fuel-Good Days (hosted through Westview 

Co-op), seasonal/festive parades, outdoor events/conventions/trade shows, and educational opportunities (through Adventure Smart), and others. 

HOW WE CONDUCT SEARCH OPERATIONS

We follow strict protocols in each and every search. After being dispatched, all available members mobilize within minutes, heading out to set up our Command Post, usually at the subject's last known location. 

Once members arrive on scene, they are briefed on all available information about the subject from all available sources. 

Command Post is set up, equipped with StarLink, and members of our team who are trained in Geomatics and Logistics begin to gather data and create a strategy for all moving parts within the operation. 

Data is continuously gathered to develop strategic search areas and methods of locating each subject. Data such as the subject(s) age, height, weight, what they were wearing, suspected or known reasons for excursion, any physical and/or mental health issues, details about when they left, when they were expected to return, their skills and/or knowledge about the environment in which they heading into, and any other relevant data provides insight into their whereabouts to assist in locating them.

From there, our Geomatics team uses all available GPS and satellite software to evaluate terrain and topographic data to evaluate and strategically plan search zones and parameters. These zones are based on landscape features, infrastructure, and possible hazards surrounding a subject's last known location which provides valuable insight into their potential whereabouts. 

Sometimes we will request local residents who may have additional knowledge of the area to voluntarily provide information regarding the surroundings to gain further insight into our search area, if they are able to. Data from sources like "Lost Person Behaviour" and other historical data is compiled and used as reference in creating strategic search plans when looking for people to form the best possible understanding of the setting and subject(s), in order to successfully bring people home. 

In the backcountry and rural areas, conservation officers are often stationed on site to provide their services as well as valuable insight regarding wildlife in the area(s), helping to protect both us and any surrounding wildlife from one another, mitigating unsafe and/or dangerous encounters that could impact the safety of the wildlife, and/or hinder, impede, or cause a direct threat to our search teams and efforts.  

Once search zones have been established and all possible known hazards identified, our Ground Search & Rescue (GSAR) teams are sent out on foot, horseback, UTV, quads, and/or even dirt-bikes, depending on what is required at the time, to make every possible effort in finding and locating the subject(s). 

GSAR teams track their movements by using CalTopo software to enhance their searches in the field, which is recorded live, enabling Geomatics teams at our Command Post to monitor and review search areas, further enhancing success in effectively and accurately our searching efforts. 

We also often utilize drones and/or request helicopters, both equipped with highly advanced technology that seeks out heat signatures. Highly-skilled K9s, trained in air scent, tracking, and cadaver location, are also often brought out.

All of these resources  together provide an efficient, effective, and comprehensive strategy to locate, extract, and bring subjects back to their loved ones. 

Our Logistics team handles accommodation and team necessities, such as meals, hydration, and sanitary stations for searches that extend over days or weeks. 

We also have dedicated Scribes, who are responsible for documenting everything from the current and changing weather conditions, resource requests and approvals, incoming and outgoing personnel from all agencies, incoming and outgoing radio transmissions, and all other pertinent 

data to create an immersive, legal, written snapshot of each search, from beginning to end.