PRRD approves $100k funding between three search and rescue teams

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. —Three search and rescue organizations in the Peace River region have been given $100,000 in funding from the regional district. 

The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) board of directors approved $100,000 in grant allocations for three of the four search and rescue organizations in northeast B.C. during the July 17th board meeting. 

The funds come from the Health-Related Services Grant-in-Aid function, and applications submitted by each organization for funding were reviewed and tentatively approved by the PRRD’s Emergency Executive Committee. 

According to a report to the board, Chetwynd Search and Rescue did not submit a grant request, and has not done so since 2019. 

The North Peace Search and Rescue, South Peace Search and Rescue and Tumbler Ridge Search and Rescue societies all submitted grant requests which totalled $272,253.80. 

Due to limitations on annual budget commitments, only $100,000 in grants to search and rescue organizations could be approved. 

North Peace Search and Rescue was approved to receive $46,000, South Peace Search and Rescue will receive $30,000 and Tumbler Ridge Search and Rescue $24,000.

Brian Lamond, the search manager and president of North Peace Search and Rescue, told Energeticcity.ca the funds will go towards essentials for the team, including certifications, training, insurance and gear. 

With the organization receiving only $46,000 of the approximately $77,300 it initially applied for from the PRRD, Lamond confirmed fundraisers throughout 2025 would be planned to acquire the remaining funds.