While some of our searching is in urban areas, most occurs in rural, forested or remote environments.
Some members bring specialized skills or experience to the group but most are individuals who like the outdoors and have a strong desire to help others. Our members learn many new skills through the training and practice provided, which makes membership in a search and rescue group attractive.
We expect members to be active within the organization, and not just looking to add to their resume.
We are always looking for new members.
To become operational, members must also:
- get a Police Records Check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector
- pass the Basic Search and Rescue Skills course, including a number of written and practical tests.
- have a valid Standard First Aid and CPR-C certification.
SBO-OVSAR also participates in regional training exercises; and takes part in information sharing amongst the provincial associations and other GSAR teams.
In these cases, there will often be a general call out to members for the next operational period asking for an immediate response for availability (e.g. during the evening for rendez-vous the following morning).
When we are asked to be involved in multi-day operations, an IMT member working with dispatch will decide how to assign members based on the anticipated duration of the event, the demands, responsibilities and members’ availability. This is especially necessary in large-scale disaster responses that typically extend over many days, e.g. floods on the Ottawa River.
In these cases, dispatch will often post operational periods ahead of time in D4H, especially once things settle down a bit after the typically more dynamic first few days, and asking members to indicate availability in advance. This allows for the IMT to plan assignments and provide advance information to tasking agencies based on expected numbers. It also supports you as members in making it easier to pace yourself and to ask for leave or make other personal arrangements when needed.
In all of these cases, it is very important that you advise dispatch of your availability at the earliest opportunity after the call-out is issued. Also, when you have indicated an intention to respond you need to follow through on that commitment or if necessary to provide as much advance notice as possible when availability changes.
We do not provide the more specialized medium or high-angle rope-assisted rescue resources/services. There are a number of reasons why we have decided it doesn’t make sense to develop this capability, including the low demand for this type of rescue in our area; the time and cost associated with certification, recertification and ongoing training; and the cost of the specialized gear.
In many cases, tasking agencies will provide meals and beverages, but this is not guaranteed and should not be counted on.
For certain search incidents in Quebec, there is a process for reimbursement for travel, including mileage, meals and accommodation. Information on the claim process for these expenditures is provided at the time of the incident. Expenses are not usually covered for searches anywhere in Ontario.
During incidents, whenever possible, we encourage members to self-select out of potentially difficult circumstances. We want to make it clear that there is no expectation to try to tough something through, considering that we are all in a different circumstance on any given day and that the most important person to look out for during an incident is yourself and your own safety. In cases where members are exposed to potentially difficult sights or information during an incident, members of the overhead team, team leaders, or members of the PH&S Committee will follow up with all affected members immediately and also in the days following the incident.
We have also benefited from a specific project with a number of municipalities/police forces to install emergency sign markers on a number of trails to be used to provide a precise location for someone requesting assistance.
The Pierre Despatie Memorial Tennis Tournament, in memory of a man we searched for, and held at the Ottawa Tennis and Lawn Bowling Club, is another source of donations.
SBO-OVSAR is a federally registered charity, meaning anyone can donate and receive a tax receipt. This also applies to donations through Workplace Charitable Campaigns.
In the past we have also provided our services for a number of special community events (first aid, logistics and communications and co-ordination of other groups of volunteers.
SBO-OVSAR is also grateful to organizations and businesses that provide donations in kind of supplies and services.
Thank you!