Kent Harrison Search and Rescue is a professional volunteer organization with an average of 25 trained members. Its primary function is that of a community resource to assist the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the British Columbia Ambulance Service, the British Columbia Coroners Service, and local fire departments in a variety of search and rescue functions.
The team is highly trained in several disciplines, including Inland Flat Water Rescue, Swiftwater Rescue, and Rope Rescue.
In some cases, mutual aid is required from one or more of the other 78 Search and Rescue groups across the province. The use of aircraft can be authorized by Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) or RCMP.
Kent Harrison Search and Rescue averages 50 tasks every year, with the majority of incidents occurring between April and October. Volunteers expend thousands of hours each year on incident responses, training, equipment maintenance and repair, and administration.
Ground Search and Rescue
All KHSAR members are trained in the JIBC's Ground Search and Rescue program, where they learn about wilderness survival, radio communications, Incident Command System, Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), and search methods.
Some members move on to certify as Ground Search and Rescue Team Leaders and SAR Managers.
Wilderness Rope Rescue
The mountainous terrain in the backcountry surrounding Agassiz and Harrison requires advanced capabilities in low angle and high angle rope rescue.
Swiftwater Rescue
We respond to incidents occurring in fast-flowing rivers and creeks, such as Fraser River and Chehalis River. The group maintains a swiftwater response capability to operate in this challenging environment.
Inland Flatwater Rescue
KHSAR's response area includes several large bodies of water, including Harrison Lake (218 km²)
and Chehalis Lake (5 km²).
The primary response vessel on Harrison Lake is the Spirit of Harrison, a 26 ft aluminum San Juan Landing Craft, powered by twin Yamaha 200 outboards and capable of a swift response to any shoreline. Several other watercraft are also utilized, including two SeaDoos (Tangos 1 and 2), a 20 ft centre console aluminum boat (Shearwater) and a 12 ft polythylene boat (Logic 12).
Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems
Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) enhance our searching capabilities. We are equipped with a DJI Matrice 30T, operated by several Advanced RPAS Pilots, that is capable of thermal imaging and flying in harsh conditions.