SAREX 2011

Details:

SAREX is a regional training event that brings together teams from the East and West Kootenays for a weekend of specialized search and rescue training. It is a popular and much needed event, having an annual participation of over 100 specialized search and rescue members. It consists of a large simulated search and rescue operation on day one and specialized team demonstrations on day two. Annual invitations are extended to the Canadian Military SAR techs, BC Ambulance Service, Fire/Rescue Services, Emergency Social Services, Emergency BC, BC Corner Service, RCMP, Emergency Program Coordinators, BC/Federal Parks, and the BC Forest Service.

In the mock search and rescue scenario, teams participate in a live person event, where they are required to locate, access, stabilize, and transport lost and injured subjects. This exercise starts on Friday evening, with an initial callout and SAR Manager meeting. It continues through to Saturday evening. This scenario is created by an exercise design specialist, whose goal is not only to involve SAR volunteers, but also to involve other agencies that are normally associated with an actual SAR task.

The speciality team demonstrations take place Sunday morning. This year, SAR members with Rope Rescue training will participate in the evacuation of a live subject from a cliff using a litter basket, while SAR members with Swiftwater training will perform a non-aerial evacuation of live subjects trapped on an island in swift water.

The outcomes of participating are enhancement of SAR member skills, mentorship of new SAR team members, familiarity with regional SAR group experience, capabilities, and members, improvement of response capabilities and inter-agency group communications, and increased tasking agency awareness of SAR capabilities and capacity.

Schedule of Events:

Friday 1900 to 2100:
      - GSTL Briefing
      - Ready Pack Check Competition

Saturday:
      0800 to 1700: Full-Scale Search and Rescue Scenario
      1700: Social, Dinner, Campfire

Sunday 0900 to 1200:
      - Swift Water Demonstration, Class 3 Water on St. Mary’s River S Bends
      - Rope Rescue Demonstration with live subject evacuation, St. Mary’s Falls

Registration:

Download the Registration Form

Completed forms to be submitted:
      By Mail:      Terry Clark, 620 34th Ave., Cranbrook, BC V1C 6L9
      By Fax:       250-417-2641
      By Email:     tkclark@telus.net