Cochrane Search and Rescue

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Cochrane Search and Rescue

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Cochrane Search and Rescue Association is a charity that saves lives. We provide on-call professional dedicated search and rescue Volunteers 24/7.

Cochrane Search & Rescue Association (CSAR) focuses on the overall objective that we have deployable resources ready any minute of any day to respond to the needs of our community, our tasking agencies and our immediate “CSAR Family”. Our Goals and Objectives:
CSAR’s overall goal is to continually strive to improve our search and rescue capabilities to deliver a valuable service to our community and surrounding area. We will leverage member knowledge, equipment and technology to increase our search effectiveness. Our Partners:
We continually strive to build relationships within our community and work closely with other local search and rescue organizations and the various Government organizations that can, and frequently have, called us to respond to an emergency or search. Local SAR Partners:
Presently we are closely associated with Calgary Search and Rescue, Foothills Search and Rescue and Olds Search and Rescue. It is our intent to develop these existing relationships as well as encourage a mutual growth and connection spanning the South West of the Rocky Mountains, foothills and prairie lands. Tasking Agencies:
CSAR work under the jurisdiction and area of Cochrane RCMP as well as collaborate with Cochrane Fire, Parks Canada, Kananaskis Emergency Services and Conservation Officers. Our Resources:
Over the last few years, CSAR has seen an increase in the level of professionalism and specialization in certain areas. Our “bread and butter” are our Ground Search teams yet CSAR boasts additional resources in the form of a K9 Section, ATV Section, and Search Manager Team. Ground Search:
Perhaps the most important aspect of any SAR Organization, Ground SAR teams form the backbone of any missing person, evidence or other incident. From groups of three (3) to seven (7) our Ground SAR Teams perform a variety of different search procedures. Each team is lead by a Team Leader who, in turn, reports directly to the Search Manager. ATV Section:
Presently, our ATV section compromises of two CSAR ATVs, two Member ATVs, an ATV Trailer and truck. Again, our aim is to ensure our ATV Operators practice regularly to ensure that all aspects of ATV Searching are practiced time and again – ready to be deployed at a moments notice. Search Manager Team:
Using the Incident Command System (ICS) and Lost Person Behaviour (LPB) our Search Managers receive the highest level of training, undergo regular Search Manager Training sessions and maintain our mobile command centre. CSAR Family:
As with all people, our own Membership may require help at times from their teammates. Cochrane Search & Rescue prides itself on the fact that in addition to serving our community and surrounding area – any one of our Members can reach out for help and it will be given, without question and with dignity.

10/07/2026

Thank you, Search and Rescue Association of Alberta, for hosting such a valuable all-teams training and collaboration event!

Working together makes us stronger and better prepared to serve our communities 🤝

⭐️ What a fantastic weekend at SAR Alberta’s annual All Teams Weekend 2026!

Held September 26–27 in Calgary, this year's event brought together members from 29 of Alberta’s 33 search and rescue teams along with representatives from 11 partner agencies for a weekend of learning, collaboration and camaraderie.

Saturday was packed with valuable training sessions covering a wide range of search and rescue skills and techniques. On Sunday, the excitement continued with the much-anticipated SAR Games, where 16 mixed teams put their skills, teamwork and problem-solving abilities to the test at a series of challenging stations located around Calgary’s Elliston Lake.

Congratulations to our SAR Games winners! 🏆️

From left to right, the winning team included Evan Gamble, Rory Hoogsteen, Candace Wardner, Robert Wambold and Jagger Smyl-Joly.

A huge thank you to everyone who participated including our presenters, instructors, board members, partner agencies, staff team and event organizers for making the weekend such a success.

Bringing teams together to learn, share knowledge and build relationships strengthens Alberta’s search and rescue community and helps us be ready when our communities need us most.

Thank you to all our dedicated volunteers for everything you do!

09/04/2026

Behind every successful search is a strong incident management team (IMT) — and on this call, that team was made up entirely of women from Cochrane Search and Rescue, Foothills Search and Rescue and the RCMP.

From developing search plans and tracking teams in the field to managing communications, logistics, and safety, the IMT keeps every operation organized, informed, and moving with purpose. Their work ensures responders have what they need, know where they’re going, and come home safely.

This all women IMT — which we believe to be the first in SAR Alberta’s history — shows exactly what women can do in search and rescue: lead with confidence, manage complex operations, and support teams with strength and clarity. They brought skill, calm decision making, collaboration, and resilience to the command post, proving that SAR leadership comes in many forms and from many voices.

We’re proud of the professionalism, compassion and confidence these women brought to the operation.

Thank you to this team and to every SAR member who steps up for their community!

Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Alberta Cochrane Search and Rescue Foothills Search and Rescue

07/30/2026

Cochrane Search & Rescue is deeply saddened by the loss of Parker Wells.

Our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Parker at this time.

07/25/2026

Our members continue to assist in the search for Parker this weekend.

Please remain observant and report any relevant information to police.

07/14/2026

This past weekend, our OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle) Team hit the trails for a productive joint training exercise with our partners at Foothills Search and Rescue

In the world of SAR, collaboration is key. Training alongside neighboring agencies allows us to: Align our tactics and communication protocols. Enhance our joint effectiveness during large-scale operations. Stay fully prepared for when the community needs us most.

A huge thank you to Foothills SAR for the great teamwork. By training together today, we ensure we are ready to respond together tomorrow.

07/07/2026

Greetings !

Later this evening, our Search & Rescue members will be carrying out a mock search in and around town.

You’ll possibly spot our volunteers, vehicles, and some activity — all part of productive training, not an emergency.

06/30/2026

Weekend Successful Search Update

This past weekend, our dedicated team was called to assist one of our SAR partners in the search for a missing person who had become separated from a group of ATV riders. Knowing the vast area to cover and the safety concerns with bears in the vicinity, we utilized our drone to enhance our search efforts.

Early Sunday morning, our team deployed at 05:00. We quickly launched the RPAS to conduct a hasty aerial search in the area where the individual was last known to have been. Shortly after beginning the aerial search, our team identified a Bear walking in the area. Nearby ground searchers were immediately pulled out of the area for their safety.

While we awaited the arrival of Fish and Wildlife members, our drone continued to search for any signs of the missing rider, successfully identifying several points of interest. Just as officers arrived on scene, we received fantastic news that the individual had walked out of the bush approximately 1 km from our staging area.

We are relieved to report that the person was unharmed, though cold and hungry.

06/24/2026

06/23/2026

🚨🚁 Exciting News from Cochrane Search and Rescue! 🚁🚨

Over the past couple of weekends, we're thrilled to share that our new members have been diligently training to become fully qualified members of the team! 🌟

Their comprehensive training covered essential topics including:

✅ Pre-course learning
✅ Introduction to Search and Rescue (SAR)
✅ Personal factors and safety protocols
✅ Clothing & Equipment essentials
✅ Environmental awareness
✅ Transportation methods
✅ First Aid & Survival skills
✅ Navigation techniques
✅ Effective Communication strategies
✅ Search Theory fundamentals
✅ Responding to emergencies
✅ On-the-ground SAR Operations
✅ Assessment practices
✅ Supplementary Training in SAR Basics Standards

We are proud of our dedicated team and grateful for their commitment to serving our community. Together, we stand ready to respond with skill and compassion. 💪❤️

Join us in welcoming our new members to the Cochrane SAR family! If you're interested in learning more about our team or supporting our mission, visit our website - https://cochranesearchandrescue.org/

Address

Cochrane, AB

Website

http://www.cochranesearchandrescue.org/

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