The Columbia Valley Search and Rescue (CVSAR) team will use a $5,000 grant from Rocky Talkie to improve its radio communication coverage and ensure they have stable radio coverage in areas with no cell service.
“We’ve really been working on mapping out where fixed and portable receivers will let us communicate,” said Nancy Loraas, CVSAR treasurer and search manager.
“When we’re on a callout and in a remote area, we may need to bring out a portable repeater so the teams in the field can communicate with the base commander.”
Lorass says their work will help deal with limited cell coverage through remote areas of the Columbia Valley
“This grant will go toward further mapping of the reach of various radio repeaters and address the question of where a fixed repeater should be located,” said Loraas.
“Our search and rescue team covers about 10,000 square kilometres, with our southern border in the Canal Flats area, north to the Bugaboos, east to the B.C./Alberta border and west to the Purcells.”
The huge coverage area keeps the CVSAR team busy as they make sure members are ready to take on a rescue mission regardless of conditions.
“With all that acreage, there’s a vast variety of terrain, everything from rugged, remote mountains to swift waters and lakes,” said Loraas.
“The variety means our SAR team needs to maintain their training in many different skills.”
Loraas says the team is thankful for the Rocky Talkie funding.
“They had $110,000 to donate, and they chose us along with Golden Search and Rescue as two nearby teams to receive the grant out of 180 applicants. I’m very appreciative of their support,” said Loraas.
“In addition to the grant, they also gave each team four Rocky Talkie radios, which is a great product for anyone going into the back country.”
Be the first to know! Don’t miss out on breaking news and daily updates in your area. Sign up to MyEastKootenayNow News Alerts.
