Penticton & District Search & Rescue

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Penticton & District Search & Rescue

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PENSAR volunteers respond throughout the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen and throughout the Province of BC

10/27/2026

Our First Mission Water Delivery!

Our first Mission Water drop-off took us to one of our valued sponsors, Brutus Truck Bodies by Nor-Mar!

While there, we were treated to a tour of their impressive facility, including multiple plants, and got a behind-the-scenes look at the incredible work they do.

Seeing just how busy and in demand their team is made us even more appreciative of their continued support.

Despite their busy schedule, they regularly go above and beyond for PenSAR, helping keep our vehicles and equipment mission-ready and often prioritizing our needs when work is required.

And as if the tour (and delicious cookies!) weren’t enough, they surprised us with an additional $500 donation on the spot!

We’re incredibly grateful to the entire Brutus team for their generosity, hospitality, and continued commitment to supporting our volunteer team.

Thank you for being such an important part of the PenSAR community!

10/26/2026

✨ MEMBER MONDAY ✨

This week, we’re introducing another one of our newest PenSAR members, Chris!

Chris recently completed his Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) training, where learning knots, map reading, and compass navigation were some of his biggest challenges.

His favourite part? Meeting new teammates and, of course, the helicopter hover entry and exit training!

While Chris may be new to PenSAR, he’s no stranger to emergency services, bringing nearly 30 years of experience with BC Ambulance and the RCMP!

Drawn to SAR by a shared passion for helping others, Chris has been impressed by how volunteers from different backgrounds come together so seamlessly as a team. He’s looking forward to further training in rope rescue and leadership.

Outside of SAR, Chris enjoys hiking, biking, fishing, playing guitar, and travelling.

A fun fact? He tries not to visit the same country twice so he can experience as many different places and cultures as possible!

Welcome to the team, Chris! We’re excited to have you on board!

10/24/2026

Not your average can of water!

A little behind-the-scenes look at PenSAR Mission Water coming to life!

Pretty cool seeing our very own cans rolling off the production line!

Stay tuned for more!

10/23/2026

MISSION WATER: POWERED BY COMMUNITY

We’re excited to introduce something new - our very own PenSAR Mission Water!

Thanks to Artus Bottling Company, these custom-labelled cans of sparkling water feature some of the incredible local businesses that support our team helping make our 'missions' possible.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be hitting the road to deliver Mission Water to our sponsors and shine a spotlight on the businesses that help make what we do possible.

You’ll also be seeing Mission Water at community events where our team is out connecting with the public!

As a volunteer organization, we rely on the generosity of our community to help fund the equipment, training and resources needed to respond when called upon.

A huge thank you to Artus Bottling Company for helping bring this initiative to life, and to all the businesses that continue to support PenSAR.

When Called, We Answer.

10/21/2026

Orange to blue!

Over the spring and summer, a few of our PenSAR members traded in their orange helmets for blue Team Leader helmets, and we’re a little overdue in celebrating them!

A big congratulations to Lewis, Dave, and Cam on completing their Team Leader course and stepping into their new roles with the team. 👏

A lot of training, time, and commitment goes into earning that blue helmet, and we’re proud to have three more Team Leaders ready to step up when needed.

And stay tuned, we’ll be celebrating more of our members as they make the move from orange to blue this fall!

Congrats, Lewis, Dave & Cam!

10/19/2026

✨ MEMBER MONDAY | Meet Sasha! ✨

This week, we’re introducing Sasha, one of our newest Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) members!

Having worked alongside SAR teams in previous jobs and spending plenty of time outdoors herself, Sasha was already familiar with the important work SAR volunteers do. After years of doing her best to avoid needing SAR herself, she decided it was time to give back to her community.

Recently completing her six-month GSAR training, Sasha admits that getting back into study mode after seven years away from school was an adjustment! One of her favourite parts was practising skills with fellow trainees and building friendships along the way.

What has surprised Sasha most about PenSAR is the diversity of the team and the unique experiences and perspectives each member brings.

She’s looking forward to further training within GSAr and specialty teams.

Outside of SAR, Sasha has a background in the ski industry and account management. She’s an avid trail runner, snack enthusiast, and enjoys sewing and quilting. A fun fact? She’s fascinated by heavy machinery, especially aerial tramways and trains!

We’re excited to have Sasha on the team and look forward to seeing where her SAR journey takes her!

10/13/2026

✨ Task Update ✨

On Thanksgiving Monday, at approximately 5:25 p.m., Penticton Search and Rescue (PenSAR) received a call to assist an injured mountain biker on a trail just outside the Three Blind Mice trail network.

An initial team was immediately dispatched, followed by additional members responding on foot with a stretcher and another team accessing the area by UTV and some@additional support teams.

Once on scene, members provided care and stabilized the subject before safely extracting them from the trail.

The subject was transferred to BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) at approximately 7:20 p.m. for further care.

With this call taking place on Thanksgiving Monday, we’d like to acknowledge our volunteer members who responded and the families who continue to support their commitment to search and rescue.

Thank you to all responding members and our partners at BCEHS.

10/12/2026

✨ Task Update ✨

On October 10, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Penticton Search and Rescue (PenSAR) was tasked to assist Penticton RCMP with a missing person in the Carmi Recreation Forest area.

Multiple PenSAR teams were deployed, searching the area on foot, by UTV, and with the assistance of our drone team.

As temperatures dropped and the search continued without locating the missing subject, mutual aid was requested from Oliver Osoyoos Search and Rescue (OOSAR) and Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR) shortly after 9 p.m.

Both the RCMP and Oliver Osoyoos Search and Rescue (OOSAR) dog teams were also involved in the search.
The search was stood down at approximately 2:30 a.m., with plans to resume at first light.

This morning, around 1145am, RCMP helicopter team located the subject deep within a canyon. PenSAR’s helicopter team extracted the subject around 1pm and handed them over to BCEHS for assessment.

A great outcome after a long night and morning of searching!

A big thank you to OOSAR, COSAR, Princeton GSAR, & Thompson Nicola SAR, the RCMP, and all the volunteers involved in this search.

The collaboration between teams and agencies and dedication of our volunteers are what make these successful outcomes possible.

10/11/2026

A little Thanksgiving gratitude from all of us at Penticton Search and Rescue!

This Thanksgiving weekend, we want to take a moment to recognize the people and community who make what we do possible.

PenSAR is a volunteer-run organization. Our members dedicate countless hours to training and responding to calls, often putting their own plans, work and family time on hold to help others.

Behind every volunteer is a support system. To our families and loved ones who understand the missed dinners, interrupted plans and unexpected callouts, thank you. Your support means more than you know.

And to our incredible community, local businesses, sponsors and donors, thank you! Your generosity helps provide the equipment, training and resources our volunteers need to be ready when called upon.

We couldn’t do what we do without the support of so many people, both within our team and throughout our community.

From all of us at PenSAR, wishing you a safe and happy Thanksgiving weekend!

10/09/2026

✨ Task Update ✨

Last night, October 8th, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Penticton Search and Rescue’s Rope Rescue Team and Drone Team were requested to provide mutual aid assistance to Princeton Ground Search and Rescue for an overdue individual in the Stemwinder area.

Nine PenSAR members responded to the call and worked alongside Princeton GSAR.

At approximately 12:30 a.m., the subject was located by drone in steep, challenging terrain.

Due to the subject’s location and the terrain, and darkness a rope rescue was deemed unsafe. Two PenSAR Rope Rescue Team members made their way down to the subject, remaining with them overnight until a helicopter long-line rescue could be safely completed.

Three additional PenSAR members remained at the top with Princeton GSAR, providing Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) support until subject was reached and 2 Princeton GSAR members remained overnight for support.

At approximately 9:00 a.m. this morning, the subject and PenSAR was successfully extracted by helicopter.

A big thank you to Princeton GSAR, Eclipse Helicopters and all involved for their teamwork and dedication throughout this challenging overnight task.

Another great example of SAR teams working together to bring someone home safely.

Address

251 Dawson Avenue
Penticton, BC
V2A3N4

Website

http://www.pensar.ca/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKCTE6QVGEA

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