Prince George, B.C. – For the first time in recent memory, 65 search and rescue members throughout northern BC have gathered in Prince George to review practices and share innovative ideas.

“It’s in association with the BC Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA) and Emergency Management BC,” says Trent Blair, regional director of the Cariboo Chilcotin for BCSARA.

From left, BC Search & Rescue Association Director’s Trent Blair, Cariboo-Chilcotin, & Chris Mushumanski, Bulkley Nechako – photo 250News

“We’ve combined together to put on a search managers conference in the “super north” we call it, which covers the entire northern half of the province. So every community from 100 Mile House north.”

He says budget constraints and the difficulty in gathering a large group of members over such a massive area (he notes it takes 9 hours one way to drive from Fort Nelson to Prince George) is the reason it’s taken so long to meet.

“We’re basically meeting here in Prince George just to review search and rescue, to come up with new and innovative ideas, to share ideas from what’s happening in Prince George, Fort St. John, 100 Mile House,” Blair says. “So if something is really awesome and working in Prince George, let’s expand that and share it with people in Fort St. John and Terrace.”

He adds search and rescue is a volunteer service which provides vital services to the communities they operate in.

“In Prince George in the last 12 months we’re at 37 searches and counting for the calendar year. And even as recently as the last couple of weeks we’ve helped people who have hurt themselves hiking or cross-country skiing at little or no cost to the province or to the rescued individuals.”

The conference runs through Sunday at the Ramada Hotel.