WHEREAS Search and Rescue programs consist of teams of volunteers that provide essential support to the First Responder Agencies to assist with the search and rescue of British Columbias visitors and residents, both on land and in the water; AND WHEREAS Search and Rescue programs receive funding from private funding events, grant-in-aid contributions from local governments and other grants, to assist with their operating and capital needs: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities be requested to seek annual funding from the provincial government that is adequate and predictable to support Search and Rescue organizations throughout the province, with their operating and capital needs, to ensure that the organizations continue to function effectively.
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General provides operational expense reimbursement of over 1.7 million to alleviate the costs of responding by volunteer search and rescue personnel. In 200708, through the Provinces gaming grants, additional funding of 1.9 million was provided to assist with equipment acquisition, training and other costs. Through the Provincial Emergency Program, the Ministry provides 250,000 in funding to the Justice Institute of BC for the coordination and delivery of Search and Rescue SAR training programs. The Ministry also is assisting volunteer SAR groups with accessing Federal Funding through the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program and the New Initiatives Fund. In 200708, BC was awarded over 1.3 million in New Initiatives funding over three years. In 200708 the Ministry provided an additional 750,000 through grants to volunteer SAR organizations to assist with preparations for response to potential flooding that existed throughout the province. Within the province many volunteer search and rescue organizations are entering into service agreements, some of which include the establishment of a regional SAR function to ensure a secure source of funding is available. The Ministry is researching a number of strategies to address ongoing funding concerns around volunteer Search and Rescue organizations. With the advent of satellite distress alerting technologies combined with the increased availability of wilderness recreation insurance and its high profile in the media, cost recovery options continue to be explored.