North Shore Rescue approved to do night helicopter rescues
Posted October 10, 2022 7:29 am.
Last Updated October 10, 2022 7:37 am.
Volunteers with North Shore Rescue (NSR) can now perform helicopter rescues in the dark — if someone’s life depends on it.
Emergency Management BC says it was working with North Shore Rescue on a “night hoisting trial.”
It says North Shore Rescue is allowed to take such operations should a life-and-death situation arise while the trial is being developed.
Under provincial guidelines, hoisting operations using night vision technology can only be carried out by military aircraft, even though North Shore Rescue has full training and certification from Transport Canada.
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In a social media post, NSR says the pilot is “amazing news” and is currently working through the paperwork required to begin night-time deployments.
“We would like to thank EMBC for coming to the table and agreeing to be a partner in this new program. We look forward to working with our colleagues at EMBC as we develop this program,” the rescue service said.
NSR publically thanked provincial safety minister Mike Farnworth and members of the wider community who sent letters of support to the government for the rescue team.
“This [is] an unprecedented initiative for ground SAR in BC.”
