Kamloops Search and Rescue

In case of an emergency, call 911.

Kamloops Search and Rescue volunteer members are all ages and from all walks of life. They share a common interest in providing important life-saving services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All team members are skilled in ground searches and are trained in the use of snowmobiles and UTVs. Interested individuals can also receive further training in rope, swift water, ice rescue, and other specialized disciplines. Strong community support, at many levels, allows us to provide this essential service.

KSAR is called out by the Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) to assist the RCMP, BC Emergency Health Services, and BC Coroners Office as well as providing alerts and evacuation assistance during events such as wildfires or floods for civic and municipal governments.

99
Current members
99
Number of tasks last year
99
Hours on task last year
99
Total volunteer hours

Media and News

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On Tuesday at 11:20 PM, the RCMP requested KSAR to search for two overdue hikers from Kamloops in the Stein Valley near Lytton.
KSAR mobilized at 5:00 AM the following morning, deploying a ground team, a Swiftwater Rescue Team, a K9 team, and also had a helicopter on standby.

At 7:20 AM, shortly after arriving in Lytton, the RCMP instructed our teams to stand down because the hikers had texted their families to inform them that they were safe. The hikers did a few things correctly:
🗺 They left a trip plan that included a map and an expected return time, although some miscommunication led to the call-out.
🎒They packed adequately in anticipation of staying overnight.

Please be prepared for outdoor adventures by leaving a trip plan with a trusted contact. Need a trip plan? - visit BC AdventureSmart to assist you in your future trip planning. #PackLikeAPro #outdooradventures
(DG)
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On Tuesday at 11:20 PM, the RCMP requested KSAR to search for two overdue hikers from Kamloops in the Stein Valley near Lytton. 
KSAR mobilized at 5:00 AM the following morning, deploying a ground team, a Swiftwater Rescue Team, a K9 team, and also had a helicopter on standby. 

At 7:20 AM, shortly after arriving in Lytton, the RCMP instructed our teams to stand down because the hikers had texted their families to inform them that they were safe. The hikers did a few things correctly:
🗺 They left a trip plan that included a map and an expected return time, although some miscommunication led to the call-out. 
🎒They packed adequately in anticipation of staying overnight.  

Please be prepared for outdoor adventures by leaving a trip plan with a trusted contact. Need a trip plan? - visit BC AdventureSmart to assist you in your future trip planning. #packlikeapro #outdooradventures 
(DG)

⚠**Attention Paul Lake Community Residents:**
The Paul Lake area has been chosen for a mock emergency exercise on Saturday, April 12, 2025. This exercise is being conducted in partnership with the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) and is designed to simulate a wildfire threatening the community. This is an exercise only, and residents are not in danger.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with TNRD Emergency Services at 250-377-6321. (DG)On April 12, 2025, the TNRD and Kamloops Search and Rescue will be performing an evacuation notification exercise at Paul Lake Community. This is an exercise only and residents are not in danger.

The objective of the exercise is to practice and improve notification procedures. Personnel will be clearly identified and will not be asking for, or collecting, any personal information. Only a portion of residences will receive a notification; those residents that are notified will be provided a handout and information package. If you have questions, please contact TNRD Emergency Services at 250-377-6321.

For official information about Emergency Notices impacting properties within any of the 10 TNRD Electoral Areas, please visit: eoc.tnrd.ca, register for free to Voyent Alert, or follow TNRD Facebook and Bluesky social media accounts.
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⚠**Attention Paul Lake Community Residents:**
The Paul Lake area has been chosen for a mock emergency exercise on Saturday, April 12, 2025. This exercise is being conducted in partnership with the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) and is designed to simulate a wildfire threatening the community. This is an exercise only, and residents are not in danger.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with TNRD Emergency Services at 250-377-6321. (DG)

⚠**Attention Paul Lake Community Residents:**
We would like to inform you that the Paul Lake area has been chosen for a mock emergency exercise on Saturday, April 12, 2025. This exercise is being conducted in partnership with the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) and is designed to simulate a wildfire threatening the community. This is an exercise only, and residents are not in danger.
The goal of the exercise is to practice and improve notification procedures that would be implemented in a real emergency situation.
Members of the Kamloops Search and Rescue (KSAR) will be present and easily identifiable. Please note that they will not request any personal information from residents. Only a portion of households in the area will receive notifications; those who are notified will receive a handout and an information package regarding the exercise.
If you have any questions, please contact TNRD Emergency Services at 250-377-6321. (DG)
(📸KSAR-Wildfires 2023)
... See MoreSee Less

⚠**Attention Paul Lake Community Residents:**
We would like to inform you that the Paul Lake area has been chosen for a mock emergency exercise on Saturday, April 12, 2025. This exercise is being conducted in partnership with the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) and is designed to simulate a wildfire threatening the community. This is an exercise only, and residents are not in danger.
The goal of the exercise is to practice and improve notification procedures that would be implemented in a real emergency situation. 
Members of the Kamloops Search and Rescue (KSAR) will be present and easily identifiable. Please note that they will not request any personal information from residents. Only a portion of households in the area will receive notifications; those who are notified will receive a handout and an information package regarding the exercise.
If you have any questions, please contact TNRD Emergency Services at 250-377-6321. (DG) 
(📸KSAR-Wildfires 2023)

A big shout-out to KSAR's very own Peter Tilt!
Peter joined KSAR in 2010 and has been an active member of our team ever since. He became a BC AdventureSmart presenter in 2016 and has delivered presentations in countless classrooms, scouting groups, and other community organizations. BC AdventureSmart is a national prevention program aimed at reaching Canadians and visitors to Canada who participate in outdoor recreational activities. Its targeted outreach efforts are designed to reduce the number and severity of search and rescue incidents in Canada.
We want to thank and congratulate Peter, Susan, and Richard for their significant contributions to community engagement and outreach! (DG)
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A big shout-out to KSARs very own Peter Tilt!
Peter joined KSAR in 2010 and has been an active member of our team ever since. He became a BC AdventureSmart presenter in 2016 and has delivered presentations in countless classrooms, scouting groups, and other community organizations. BC AdventureSmart is a national prevention program aimed at reaching Canadians and visitors to Canada who participate in outdoor recreational activities. Its targeted outreach efforts are designed to reduce the number and severity of search and rescue incidents in Canada.
We want to thank and congratulate Peter, Susan, and Richard for their significant contributions to community engagement and outreach! (DG)Image attachmentImage attachment+3Image attachment

🔴KSAR is regularly tasked with delivering evacuation orders and alerts to our communities during wildfire season when they are under threat.
Recently, KSAR members, along with members from Barriere Search & Rescue met with a representative of Thompson-Nicola Regional District to refresh our evacuation documenting processing skills. Team members go door-to-door not only to inform residents about evacuation alerts and orders but also to find out If there are minors, seniors, or individuals with mobility issues who may be staying behind. This information will aid the RCMP in checking on those who do not or can not comply with evacuation notices.
⚠Additionally, our teams received Wildfire Safety Training to ensure that SAR members can safely navigate during tasks if they are working close to active fires.
🙏We would like to express our appreciation to the many Wildfire Fighters in our province and beyond for their hard work and dedication in protecting our communities. We send our gratitude and encouragement to support you during the upcoming wildfire season. (DG)
📸credit - former KSAR member Dave Markel
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🔴KSAR is regularly tasked with delivering evacuation orders and alerts to our communities during wildfire season when they are under threat. 
Recently, KSAR members, along with members from Barriere Search & Rescue met with a representative of Thompson-Nicola Regional District to refresh our evacuation documenting processing skills. Team members go door-to-door not only to inform residents about evacuation alerts and orders but also to find out If there are minors, seniors, or individuals with mobility issues who may be staying behind. This information will aid the RCMP in checking on those who do not or can not comply with evacuation notices. 
⚠Additionally, our teams received Wildfire Safety Training to ensure that SAR members can safely navigate during tasks if they are working close to active fires. 
🙏We would like to express our appreciation to the many Wildfire Fighters in our province and beyond for their hard work and dedication in protecting our communities. We send our gratitude and encouragement to support you during the upcoming wildfire season. (DG)
📸credit - former KSAR member Dave Markel
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