Whitecourt Search and Rescue

10/06/2026

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✨WOW! Now that we’ve all had a few days to recover from an incredible All Teams Training weekend, we want to look back on what made it so special. ✨

Having the opportunity to bring together 33 teams from across Alberta alongside our valued community partners was a massive undertaking, and it wouldn't have been possible without our incredible sponsors.

Your generosity plays a huge role in making these events possible!

A very special THANK YOU to:
🚣 Raven
🧗 Coast Ropes and Rescue
☕ Arrowhead Coffee Company
💡 BrightSource Lighting
🧼 The Tallowed Truth
🍯 Sun River Honey

We are deeply grateful for your support in empowering our teams and community! ❤️

10/01/2026

Congrats to the winning team of the SAR Games at All-Teams 2026. We are very proud to have a Whitecourt SAR member on the winning team.

⭐️ 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!

09/17/2026

Join the TSAR team in Grande Prairie this weekend.

TRAINING NOTICE: SEPT 18–20, 2026

Grande Prairie Technical Search & Rescue will be conducting a large-scale Mock Search Exercise at Nitehawk Year-Round Adventure Park over the September 18 weekend, with primary exercise activities occurring on Saturday, September 19.

What to expect:
• Teams from across Alberta on site
• Increased presence of search personnel and emergency vehicles
• Active use of ATVs/UTVs and drones in the area

PLEASE NOTE: This is a planned training exercise, NOT an active emergency.

Special thanks to Nitehawk Year-Round Adventure Park and Search and Rescue Association of Alberta for supporting our training!

08/14/2026

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Today, the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience, announced a $3 million investment over three years for the Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC).

This funding will support a project to further strengthen Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) in Canada through enhanced coordination and consistency among volunteer search and rescue organizations across the country. The investment will help ensure Canadians receive timely and effective assistance when they need it most, while reinforcing SARVAC’s national leadership role in supporting search and rescue organizations and volunteers.

Learn more: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-safety-canada/news/2026/08/government-of-canada-invests-in-volunteer-search-and-rescue-across-canada-with-a-three-year-funding-agreement.html

08/12/2026

Our thoughts are with our SAR colleagues in BC as they assist with wildfire evacuations across the province - helping people when they need it most.

07/30/2026

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💔 We are deeply saddened by the outcome of the search for Parker Wells. SAR Alberta staff and volunteers supported the search, holding onto hope throughout. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Parker's parents, family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. Our thoughts are also with everyone who cared about Parker, including those who took time to assist in the search. Thank you to all who gave it your best.

07/21/2026

It’s National Drowning Prevention week. Rivers can change quickly. Before you head out, know the risks, wear a life jacket, and stay aware of conditions. Learn how to stay safe on and around the water!

Surviving drowning is just the start. Drowning can lead to lasting injuries.

Be prepared before and emergency happens:
✅ Learn CPR and First Aid. Seconds save lives.
✅ Learn what drowning looks like: fast, quiet, no splash.
✅ Make safe choices before you go near water.

This week is about prevention, choices and preparation required to save lives.

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06/29/2026

June is PTSD awareness month. Remember to check in on those in Emergency Services and reach out if you need help!

06/21/2026

Today, we welcome the first day of summer—a season of longer days, outdoor adventures, and time spent connecting with nature.

June 21 also marks National Indigenous Peoples Day, aligned with the summer solstice, a time of light, renewal, and deep cultural significance.

From coast to coast to coast, we recognize and celebrate the histories, cultures, languages, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples—whose connection to the land continues to guide and inspire how we explore and respect the outdoors.

As you head outside this summer:

Respect the land
Stay safe and hydrated
Be mindful of the places you visit

Enjoy the season. Honour the day. Stay AdventureSmart.
https://bit.ly/4vTpbGO

06/08/2026

Upcoming webinar regarding Women in SAR

Join in for an important conversation about women in Canadian Search and Rescue.🇨🇦

Over the past year, Dr. Jelena Brcic and her research team at the University of the Fraser Valley - UFV have been exploring the experiences of women serving in volunteer SAR organizations across Canada. Through a national study, participants shared their successes, challenges, pathways to leadership, and perspectives on building more inclusive SAR teams.⛑️

Now that the research has concluded, the findings will be shared in an upcoming webinar:
Women in Canadian SAR: Lessons Learned
🗓 Monday, June 22
🕠 5:30–6:30 PM PST

The session will highlight key insights on recruitment, retention, inclusion, leadership development, and organizational culture, while exploring ways to strengthen and sustain Canada's volunteer-driven SAR community.

A special shoutout to all who participated in the study, shared the survey, and helped connect the research team with SAR volunteers from across Canada.

🔗 Register here: a14d64a4-cd13-4696-aae3-5886e465f0b9@a3d10b1d-c226-48f9-a6db-976df918187e" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/a14d64a4-cd13-4696-aae3-5886e465f0b9@a3d10b1d-c226-48f9-a6db-976df918187e

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Joignez-vous à une importante discussion sur les femmes dans le domaine de la recherche et du sauvetage au Canada. 🇨🇦

Au cours de la dernière année, la Dre Jelena Brcic et son équipe de recherche de l’Université de la vallée du Fraser (UFV) ont étudié les expériences vécues par les femmes qui œuvrent au sein d’organisations bénévoles de recherche et sauvetage partout au Canada. Dans le cadre d’une étude nationale, les participantes ont partagé leurs réussites, leurs défis, leurs parcours vers des rôles de leadership ainsi que leurs perspectives sur la création d’équipes de recherche et sauvetage plus inclusives. ⛑️

Maintenant que les travaux de recherche sont terminés, les résultats seront présentés lors d’un prochain webinaire :

Les femmes dans la recherche et le sauvetage au Canada : leçons apprises
🗓 Lundi 22 juin
🕠 17 h 30 à 18 h 30 (HNP)

La séance mettra en lumière des constats clés concernant le recrutement, la rétention, l’inclusion, le développement du leadership et la culture organisationnelle, tout en explorant des façons de renforcer et de soutenir la communauté canadienne de recherche et sauvetage fondée sur le bénévolat.

Un merci tout particulier à toutes les personnes qui ont participé à l’étude, partagé le sondage et aidé l’équipe de recherche à établir des liens avec des bénévoles en recherche et sauvetage partout au Canada.

🔗 Inscrivez-vous ici : a14d64a4-cd13-4696-aae3-5886e465f0b9@a3d10b1d-c226-48f9-a6db-976df918187e" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/a14d64a4-cd13-4696-aae3-5886e465f0b9@a3d10b1d-c226-48f9-a6db-976df918187e