Vancouver Island search and rescue team reaches first-of-its-kind agreement with forestry company
A Vancouver Island search and rescue team and a major forestry company announced a deal on Sunday that could be the first of many to benefit rescue groups on the island.
Mosaic Forest Management and Arrowsmith Search and Rescue have reached a deal to allow the volunteer group to formally conduct training exercises in forested back areas owned by the company as well as getting better access to data about its properties.
"Search and rescue is such an important part of keeping people safe who are recreating out in the back-country in the forest, and we’re really excited to be able to provide some streamlined opportunities for search and rescue to access our lands," said Pam Jorgenson, land use forester for Mosaic.
The agreement also gives searchers access to Mosaic’s database of ever-changing roads and conditions on their properties, something search manager Nick Rivers says will enable teams to be better prepared when they’re out looking for lost individuals.
"That means all the new logging roads, where they’re logging, what (are) the future plans, what roads are deactivated and gated – it's information we never had before," Rivers said.
Arrowsmith Search and Rescue teams are pictured in this file photo: (CTV News)
This marks the first agreement the forest company has made with one of the many search groups accessing its lands. It is expected others agreements will be reached in the future.
"We’re actually committed to having similar kinds of agreements with all of the search and rescue groups that are active on our lands so I’ve already initiated outreach to a number of those groups and we’ll be setting up opportunities to talk about similar opportunities in the next couple of months," Jorgenson said.
Rivers says the agreement could also bring more assistance in the forests when actual searches take place.
"They’re interested in being a larger supporter and a larger helping effort in applying resources and management for missing people on their land and/or rescues," said Rivers.
Another part of the agreement should allow for better communications between Mosaic and the public that utilizes their back areas.
"It’s going to allow us to communicate in a smooth and streamlined way," said Jorgenson. "So meeting on a regular basis, talking about outreach to communities and even if there’s an avalanche hazard or a major rainfall issue, potentially we can collaborate on communication and make sure the public hears what they need to hear."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
BREAKING Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.