The Pemberton District Search and Rescue (PSAR) has received a $16,735 grant from the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation, which will go towards “vital safety upgrades and equipment enhancements that bolster the operational capabilities and readiness of PSAR’s volunteer team.”
“This grant represents a significant investment in the safety of both our volunteer responders and those we serve in times of emergency,” said PSAR president David MacKenzie in a release. “We’re grateful to the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation for recognizing the importance of properly equipping our team, and for their continued commitment to community safety and resilience.”
PSAR team members will receive bleeding control kits to improve on-scene medical response and trauma care and durable softshell technical uniform pants suitable for year-round technical rescue environments. High-visibility amber and scene lighting will also be installed on the team's newest rescue truck to improve safety during road and nighttime operations, according to the release.
PSAR is a volunteer-based, registered charity that provides professional ground and inland water search and rescue services, 24/7, for a 25,000-square-kilometer area around Pemberton. The team also provides public education, prevention initiatives and mutual aid responses in neighbouring jurisdictions.
The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation has distributed over $22 million to registered charities since its establishment in 1992. Funding is raised through community events and the sale of Founders Passes.
For more information about PSAR or to support the team’s efforts, please visit www.pembertonsar.com.
