Kitimat Search and Rescue

03/12/2026

Today, some of our incredible women from Kitimat Ground Search and Rescue joined Rio Tinto for their International Women’s Day Tradeshow.

Our members were proud to host a booth highlighting the role women play in Search and Rescue and sharing how volunteers in our community train, respond, and support people in need across the region.

Events like this are a great opportunity to connect with community members, talk about volunteer opportunities, and celebrate the growing number of women contributing their skills, leadership, and strength to SAR teams.

Thank you to Rio Tinto for the invitation and for creating space to recognize and support women in trades, emergency services, and community organizations.

If you stopped by our booth today — thank you for the great conversations!

03/08/2026

Today, on International Women’s Day, Kitimat Ground Search and Rescue recognizes and celebrates the women who volunteer their time, skills, and dedication to helping others when it matters most.

Search and rescue demands teamwork, resilience, and a deep commitment to community. Across our team, women contribute as searchers, rope technicians, swiftwater responders, medical personnel, planners, and leaders. They train in all weather, respond at all hours, and bring professionalism, compassion, and strength to every callout.

Volunteer search and rescue in British Columbia relies on people who are willing to step forward when someone in our community needs help. The women on our team are an essential part of that effort, helping ensure that no one faces an emergency alone.

Today we thank and recognize the women of Kitimat Ground Search and Rescue, and the many women across search and rescue organizations who continue to strengthen this work through their service.

Happy International Women’s Day.

03/02/2026

Today, March 2 2026, has been proclaimed as Search and Rescue Volunteer Memorial Day by the Province of British Columbia.

This is the ninth anniversary of the unveiling of the monument on the rear lawn of the parliament buildings in Victoria, alongside memorials to Law Enforcement, Paramedics, and Firefighters near the Emergency Services Memorial Gardens.

A wreath laying will take place shortly after noon today in Victoria, BC, everyone is welcome to observe, please form up by 11:30 am. Please take any opportunity to thank air, marine and ground SAR volunteers for all they do so others may live.

02/15/2026

Search Update – Missing Person

Kitimat SAR has joined forces with Terrace SAR, Houston SAR, and Prince Rupert SAR in the ongoing search for Noel Ross Grant, who has been missing since early February.

Mr. Grant was last seen leaving his residence for a walk at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 6, 2026. A possible sighting was reported near Sharples Road / Frontage Road around 1:30 p.m. the same day. His current whereabouts remain unknown.

Police are concerned for Mr. Grant’s well-being and are asking the public to remain vigilant.

Description of Noel Ross Grant:

Indigenous male

69 years old

5’8” tall

161 lbs

Brown eyes

Brown hair

Last seen wearing a black jacket with a fur hood, blue boots, and aviator-style glasses

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Terrace RCMP at 250-638-7400.

02/11/2026

We are deeply saddened by the news coming out of Tumbler Ridge. On behalf of the Board and volunteers of Kitimat Ground Search and Rescue, we offer our sincere condolences to the victims, their loved ones, and the wider Tumbler Ridge community.

In the North, our communities are closely connected, and our hearts are with everyone impacted. We stand alongside our fellow first responders and community members during this incredibly difficult time.

02/10/2026

Snowmageddon – 11-Year Anniversary (Feb 7, 2015)

On February 7, 2015, Kitimat received over 5 feet of snow in just 24 hours, in what became known as Snowmageddon. It remains one of the largest emergency events in our community’s history.

During this unprecedented storm, KSAR members provided 24-hour coverage and were stationed at the fire hall to support emergency response. The road to Kitamaat Village was completely cut off by fallen trees, and even a fire truck became stuck trying to get through.

With most side streets unplowed, KSAR deployed sleds and quads with tracks to assist the Kitimat Fire Department and BC Ambulance Service. We transported firefighters to active calls, including a garage fire on Oriole/Mallard Street, where crews arrived by sled carrying portable extinguishers and were able to save the home.

KSAR also:

-Assisted with multiple BCAS medical calls

-Conducted wellness checks

-Delivered prescriptions and essential supplies to residents who were unable to leave their homes

A helicopter was used to extract a medical emergency from Kitamaat Village, with Haisla Boulevard closed so it could safely land at the fire hall.

The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) was open 24/7 with the , , , and all giving their best efforts to keep the community safe. Snowmageddon was a true community crisis — and a powerful reminder of how local agencies and volunteers came together when Kitimat needed it most.

02/09/2026

Over the weekend, five members of Kitimat GSAR and two members of Terrace GSAR joined forces for an intensive winter mountain survival course.

Led by René Ritter of A Wilder Experience, the course provided hands-on learning and valuable experience that will directly support winter operations.

Held in a remote location, participants built and spent the night in improvised shelters, practicing a variety of essential winter survival skills under realistic field conditions.

A big thank you to our supporters: Kitimat Snowmobiler and Hiking Club, Shaun Oviatte of Daudet Creek Contracting, Ben Rego, Quantum Helicopters, and M-Star Hotel for helping make this training possible.

01/31/2026

❄️ Winter Trails | Hard Packed ~ Icy Conditions
Hard-packed snow and ice can turn a simple walk into a serious slip fast. Even well-travelled winter trails can be icy, uneven, and unforgiving.
🧊 That’s where MICROSPIKES matter.
They give your boots traction on ice and hard snow, helping you stay upright, confident, and in control.
👣 No spikes = higher risk ⚠️ of slips, falls, and injuries
👣 Spikes on = BETTER grip, SAFER steps, SMARTER travel
Before you head out this winter:
✔️ Check conditions
✔️ PACK TRACTION (microspikes, crampons, 🧊-axe & know how to use)
✔️ Make conservative choices
PREVENTING THE INJURY 🏥
1) Below is a snippet from our webinar with expert Douglas Pope @ North Shore Rescue. Full webinar here ⤵️
https://youtu.be/wbtJf8kmjNI?si=ykm24nRVkq9BHpN4
2) How to Kill Yourself Snowshoeing in comments (by Michael Coyle, data informed article)

Based on real BC Search and Rescue data, this session reveals that the - leading cause of SAR incidents in the province is injury -, with most resulting from...

01/31/2026

❄️ Know Before You Snow ❄️
BC AdventureSmart's 2025-26 regional safety campaign.
Partner Post with Vancouver Coastal Health! 🏥
Winter adventures are better when everyone gets home safe. 🏔️
That’s why BC AdventureSmart’s Know Before You Snow campaign, in partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) + additional regional North Shore partners, is sharing simple tips to help PREVENT INJURIES during winter play:
✔️ Pace yourself
✔️ Stay fuelled and hydrated
✔️ Don’t push beyond your limits
Whether you’re skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding or heading out for a winter hike, smart choices and realistic limits make all the difference. Together with our partners, we’re amplifying safety messages so everyone can enjoy winter—and get home safe.

🎥 on IG
🗺️ Trail details in comments.
Full campaign details:

North Vancouver, October 29, 2025 — BC AdventureSmart and North Shore partners are launching a season-long winter safety campaign to help locals and visitors plan smarter, travel prepared, and reduce impacts on search and rescue, while building a stronger outdoor safety culture across the North Sh...

01/31/2026

Did you know that you CAN’T CALL Search and Rescue ‘directly’ for help?
Search and Rescue is only activated when a ‘tasking agency’ needs search and rescue technical assistance.
The following agencies can request a SAR group to respond:
🚑 BC Ambulance Service
💐 BC Coroners Service
🇨🇦 Canadian Forces & Coast Guard
🏔️ Parks Canada
🔥 Fire Departments
👮 Police of Jurisdiction
👉🏽 In British Columbia, the RCMP or local police handle all missing-person cases and are the first ones called when someone is reported overdue or missing. When needed, the police ask Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) teams to help, using their specialized training to search for and rescue missing people.
When needed, SAR can show up by boat, jet-ski, ATV, truck, snowmobile, snow bikes, on skis, on mountain bikes, by helicopter, or on foot.
〽️ YOU’RE INVITED to an event about this!
👮‍♀️ Behind The Badge: How 👮‍♀️ Support SAR
🗓️ February 3, 2026 @ 6-7PM PT
🖊️ Registration: https://shorturl.at/wcfW5
🎥 Chilliwack Search and Rescue
In an 🆘🚨call 911.




#911

Ever wonder what happens behind the scenes when a search and rescue call comes in? In this webinar, learn how the Police work as a tasking agency with BC’s 78 SAR groups. From making critical decisions to providing resources and on-the-ground support, discover how police and SAR volunteers collabo...

01/07/2026

❄️🎙️ Winter keeners—join BC AdventureSmart’s Expert Webinar Series (free, Oct–Mar). Learn smart tips for communications, avalanche terrain, cold-weather travel, tree wells, and more—so you can explore more and need rescue less. Register: bcsara.com/outdoor-education/events/

Welcome to our outdoor education online special events! We cover numerous important topics, along with invited expert guests, to make sure your outdoor experience is a safe one for loved ones and friends.

01/01/2026

Happy New Year from all of us at Kitimat Ground Search and Rescue.