NSR recruiting volunteers as older members step back
Posted April 16, 2017 12:59 pm.
Last Updated April 17, 2017 8:28 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
NORTH VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – It is one of the busiest search and rescue teams in the province and North Shore Rescue is looking for someone but it’s not part of a mission on the local mountains.
The team is trying to recruit people to deal with the influx of calls. Every year the NSR gets hit with dozens and dozens of calls and some older members are now also taking on a lesser role and those spots need to be filled.
North Shore Rescue Team Leader Mike Danks, who has been with the group for more than two decades, says, yes the hours can be erratic but having the chance to potentially save someone’s life can be a worthy reward. So, if you think you got what it takes — let them know. “We’re looking at people donating around 300 hours a year. We recognize that’s a signifcant amount of time but it’s very fulfulling.”
Danks admits members will lose time with friends and family and spend hours on the local trails and mountains, but he feels giving back to the community is important. “I still remember the first call that I was on where we actually found somebody and you could just see in their eyes the relief. And to me that was so incredibly rewarding. I don’t know where you can get that feeling anywhere else.”
Last year the team responded to a near-record number of calls and Danks hopes with the added help, they’ll be better prepared to whatever comes their way this summer and winter.
They’re looking for several new members. The deadline to apply is April 18th. For more information click here.
