North Peace Search and Rescue to host ‘open hall’ recruitment night

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A local search-and-rescue team is set to host a recruitment event for prospective new members in a few weeks.

According to a Facebook post, North Peace Search and Rescue (NPSAR) is hosting an ‘open hall’ event on Tuesday, October 21st for people interested in learning more about search and rescue work and potentially joining the team.

Attendees will be able to meet members of the team, ask questions and explore NPSAR’s new hall.

Regarding recruitment efforts, the post says the organization is looking for people who enjoy the outdoors, can work well as part of a team and are eager to learn.

Brian Lamond, NPSAR’s search manager and president, said in an interview that previous experience with activities like hunting, hiking and fishing is an asset, but not required.

“Some outdoor experience would be great, but it’s something we also teach as well,” Lamond said. 

According to the online membership application page, people who join will start out as ‘members-in-training’ (MIT).

MITs are required to attend a ground search and rescue course organized by NPSAR and provide a minimum of 25 annual hours per year of combined service to activities like practices and fundraising. 

Depending on the training schedule, the process of attaining full membership can take between six and eight months.

Last year’s recruitment drive saw more than 40 applicants, 14 of which ended up being recruited, according to Lamond, who anticipates similar numbers this year.

“We’re not sure exactly how many we’ll take on, but usually we like to train about 12,” he said. “That doesn’t necessarily mean that if we have 16 solid candidates, that we wouldn’t necessarily take on 16. 

“We’re a volunteer-only [team] and everything is based on availability, and some people, their life situation changes — people move, people get married, people have kids, situations change, so we’re typically always ongoing with training.”

The event is happening at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 21st at the NPSAR hall located at 10908C 100th Avenue in Fort St. John. The event is open to anyone, free of charge and doesn’t require any kind of advance registration.