O.V.E.R.T (Ontario Volunteer Emergency Response Team)

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Bowmanville, ON
O.V.E.R.T (Ontario Volunteer Emergency Response Team)

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Volunteer search and rescue / disaster response What is OVERT? The Ontario Volunteer Emergency Response Team (OVERT) Inc. OVERT is not traditional.

is an entirely new concept in community participation, education and response to major incidents and disasters. Traditionally, community organizations are used for "outside the tape" roles during a disaster, this referring to the fact that many organizations provide "low risk" assistance. Our vision is to provide an integrated, professional, reliable and experienced community response to front line emergency services. This new concept is referred to as "second tier response." OVERT is the first program of its type in Ontario that provides the emergency services with a community based "inside the tape" surge capacity. "Surge capacity" refers to an emergency service agency’s ability to have enough extra equipment, personnel and resources available to deal with anything other then the day-to-day call volume or regular emergencies. When a major incident occurs the effected service must find additional resources to deal with the incident. As recently as August 2004, representatives from emergency service agencies in Ontario reported to the Ontario Government’s Standing Committee on Justice Policy that most if not all local emergency services in Ontario had a very limited "surge capacity" to deal with major events. OVERT provides "focused surge capacity" to local police, fire, EMS, hospitals, public health, social services and local emergency measures agencies.

11/02/2026

Operation still on going in Markham

11/01/2026

Team has been activated to assist YRP with search for missing person in Markham

If you have any info please contact Police.

10/27/2026

YRP call out
Update: our operation with YRP has been stood down, YRP is continuing their investigation. If you have any information on this matter please contact police.

10/27/2026

Team called out to Aurora to assist YRP with search for a vulnerable teenager.

If you have any information please contact police

10/24/2026

Going to be a nice day for training, could not have asked for better weather. Team members worked on use of handheld FLIR units, Initial medical response and packaging ,navigation with GPS and compass and during search techniques segment a simulated team member injury event. This activated the teams medical response and Technical rescue to treat and extricate their fellow team mate.

10/14/2026

When someone is lost, missing or in distress, trained search and rescue volunteers help strengthen the response.

Across Canada, volunteers contribute specialized skills, local knowledge and additional capacity across air, ground and sea search and rescue.

Their service is invaluable, particularly across Canada’s vast size, terrain, coastline, and challenging weather conditions.

Learn about Canada’s search and rescue volunteers: https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/mrgnc-mngmnt/rspndng-mrgnc-vnts/nss/srv-brs-en.aspx

10/12/2026

Team members are homeward bound after a great SARSCENE 2026 conference. It is always good to meet up with other SAR folks from across the country to learn from and exchange ideas. Thanks SARSAV for hosting this years conference and for the amazing hospitality.

10/11/2026

10/04/2026

Members of our team will be heading to Saskatoon later this week for SARSCENE 2026. Looking forward to seeing everyone in the SAR community from across the country and what we know will be a great conference.

09/30/2026

Our marine unit members took advantage of the nice fall weather to get out and work on search tactics along the river and then get the boat out onto Lake Ontario

Address

Bowmanville
Bowmanville, ON

Telephone

+14162874458

Website

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/ontario-volunteer-emergency-response-team-overt-inc/

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