About Coquitlam SAR
Coquitlam Search and Rescue is a Volunteer Search and Rescue team based in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada. We serve the communities of Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody (The Tri-cities), Anmore, Belcarra, Burnaby and New Westminster.
We are responsible for inland water, wilderness and urban search and rescue in an area bounded by
- Indian Arm on the west,
- Pitt Lake on the east,
- Garibaldi Park to the north,
- the Fraser River to the south.
This primary area is 1762km² and includes some of the most rugged and inaccessible terrain in the southwest region of the Province of British Columbia. The team also provides assistance to residents during natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes (for example, the Kelowna Firestorm). We also respond to help other SAR teams in the region, and throughout the province. We’ve been sent on searches in Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton, Comox (Strathcona Provincial Park), Prince George, Kitimat and on occasion Washington State.
We do not perform marine or air search and rescue, these are the responsibilities of the Coast Guard and Armed Forces. Sometimes we are called to act as spotters from helicopters in the course of a wilderness, ground search.
Frequently Asked Questions
History
Coquitlam Search and Rescue was formed in 1972 as a result of a search on Burke Mountain by North Shore Rescue and members of the Coquitlam RCMP detachment because there was no local team.
Over the years, the team has grown into about 45 active members. The team is called out to roughly 30 to 40 search and/or rescue operations each year, including mutual aid calls to other teams in the Lower Mainland, and other areas in the Province of British Columbia, and in Washington State.
In recent years, the team has also assisted the local police forces with evidence searches and urban searches for missing persons, as well as assisting the Tri-City communities with a variety of emergency preparedness tasks.
Mission Statement
Coquitlam Search and Rescue is a community-based volunteer organization providing search and rescue services and wilderness public safety education in the Tri-Cities and surrounding, and when requested by other agencies. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality services 24/7.
Vision Statement
To adapt and support the evolving needs of our community using the most current search and rescue techniques and knowledge in a professional manner.
Our Values
Coquitlam Search and Rescue is guided by the following values. They influence our conduct collectively as a society and as individual team members. We strive to have our actions reflect these values, demonstrate personal accountability and be publicly defensible:
- Teamwork:
We maintain an environment of mutual respect founded on open, honest communication. We embrace the diversity of our team and individual perspectives in working together to achieve our common goals. - Integrity:
We are respectful, honest, and ethical in our interactions with team members, the public, partner agencies, and other SAR groups. - Accountability:
We fulfill our responsibilities to our subjects, team, partner agencies, and ourselves by being accountable to each other. - Professionalism:
We practise the highest standards in everything we do. - Compassion:
We treat our subjects, the public, and our teammates with the highest level of care and consideration.