B.C. rescue highlights need for more provincial support: NSR

The night-time rescue of an injured skier in Campbell River last week is prompting North Shore Rescue (NSR) to call for more provincial support.

Members of the volunteer group, considered one of the busiest in North America, say they were called out because of some tools in their arsenal which it makes easier to help find people at night. One is the recently approved night-time hoisting capability, while the other is night-vision goggles — both of which are being tried out on a trial basis.

NSR team leader Mike Danks says if they’re called out more often and farther away, they’re okay with it. He explains having the ability to use the tools allows for two things: to continue testing out the technology while highlighting how important it is for them to have access to it.

“Each call we’re responding to is slightly unique … and in some circumstances, we have not been able to get to the target area because of weather, but the areas we have made it to, the [night-time hoist] has performed very well. It has greatly reduced the exposure of having a number of rescuers in the field and it’s much more efficient for patient care as well,” he told CityNews.

Related articles: 

• North Shore Rescue uses night-hoist for first time, helps out-of-bounds skier

• North Shore Rescue approved to do night helicopter rescues

• North Shore Rescue gets approval to use night-vision technology for searches by air

He notes the night-hoisting tool is only used in certain cases, for example, if someone is badly injured and isn’t prepared to spend the night outdoors.

“It really comes down to supporting the volunteer search and rescue teams because we all have full-time jobs, we have families, so we need that support from the provincial government to do our jobs as efficiently as possible. So, when we bring forward tools like this, we really hope the province is going to do everything it can to support us. Us having this pilot [program] right now is a pretty monumental step forward and it’s really showing its worth,” Danks explained.

He says the training, equipment, and maintenance of night-time hoisting capabilities are funded by North Shore Rescue, to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars. He says the province only pays for flight time when NSR members are on an active call but they’re hoping that changes.

“It’s a huge cost for us to undertake and that’s why we’ve reiterated to the public that we need your support. We have this tool, we’re using it now but there’s competencies we need to maintain in order to do this safely and that costs money. We’re confident this tool will save lives and will continue to save lives, but it’s not cheap. The helicopter, you’re looking at $5,000 an hour [to operate.]”

The provincial government tells CityNews once both pilot projects are wrapped up, it’ll decide if they are going to be funded further or made permanent.