New federal dollars for Sask. search and rescue association

Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River MP Buckley Belanger announced in La Loche on Thursday $1.15 million in funding for two projects led by the Search and Rescue Saskatchewan Association of Volunteers (SARSAV). 

According to a media release issued after the announcement, Canada’s vast and challenging landscapes, including those surrounding La Loche and other communities across Northern Saskatchewan, make search and rescue operations increasingly complex. As natural disasters become more frequent and severe, the need for reliable and effective search and rescue capabilities continues to grow. 

The new federal funding for SARSAV projects is expected to advance volunteer recruitment and retention and enhance training, resources, and coordination for operations on water and shorelines, including through the use of new geographic information system‑based mapping tools. 

“Search and rescue is a vital service Canadians rely on, especially in rural, remote and northern communities where conditions can be unpredictable and a quick, effective response can make all the difference,” Belanger is quoted as saying.