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Canadian Ranger off duty during fatal search and rescue

Feb 14, 2014 | 3:39 PM

The Canadian Forces are confirming the Ranger from Lac Brochet, Man. who died while searching for a missing man, was off duty at the time.

Cpt. Steven Parker said Master Cpl. Alphonse M. Denechezhe, 47, had volunteered, along with another ranger, to look for a man that went missing between Manitoba and Wollaston Lake, Sask.

“The Canadian Rangers themselves are Canadian Arms Forces and therefore a federal asset—search and rescue is generally a provincial responsibility, so what happens is … at times when they called into search and rescues they do go on official status but what has to happen is the local authority … they actually have to put a formal request for assistance,” Parker explained.

“Since that is not always what the local community wants to do, what they’ll do is they’ll go and seek volunteers. The volunteers often tend to also be Canadian Rangers because they train in that activity.”

Although Parker didn’t know Denechezhe personally, he said many of his family are involved with the Rangers because of their special skills and knowledge.

“When Canadian Rangers are hired, unlike the rest of the Canadian Forces, they are considered fully trained when we hire them … their skills are based on their ability to live on their land and their life skills and traditional skills and outdoor skills that they would bring just because of where they’re from and where they’ve grown up,” he said.

The man who had initially gone missing was located by the Wollaston Lake SAR members and was returned safely to Wollaston Lake. Those members then turned their search to the two rangers. They were found Tuesday, 25 miles east of Wollaston Lake.

Earlier in the week RCMP Sgt. Craig Cleary said they were located in the brush and had managed to build a fire. He said mechanical issues may have been why they didn’t return.

The 40-year-old man that was with Denechezhe was still undergoing treatment when Parker last he checked, so his name was not released.

“Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Alphonse M. Denechezhe, he a Canadian Ranger with the Lac Brochet patrol of the 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group,” Parker said. “We also hope for the quick and full recovery for the Canadian Ranger currently being treated for injuries in connection with the same incident.”

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