COSAR 70th Birthday

Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR) is marking a significant milestone—70 years of volunteer service to the community—with a special celebration on Saturday, October 5th, 2024. The event will take place from 1-4 pm at their current location and will honour the rich history safeguarding the community, the dedication of its volunteers and the supporter’s who have contributed to this non-profit organization.
The origins of COSAR can be traced back to a pivotal event in 1954. During a family camping trip, a young girl became separated from her group. A group of BC Civil Defense Volunteers from the community initiated a search effort. Their success in finding the child underscored the necessity for a formal Search and Rescue organization. Since then, COSAR has played a critical role in search and rescue missions across the Okanagan region and beyond.
Over the past seven decades, COSAR volunteers have responded to thousands of calls and trained for thousands of hours. “We’re incredibly proud to reach this milestone,” said COSAR President Brad Trites. “Our volunteers have been at the heart of this organization, showing an unshakable commitment to rescuing and reassuring. This celebration is an opportunity to reflect on the courage, dedication and humility that has defined COSAR since its inception.” The 70th birthday event will highlight COSAR’s journey, showcasing its diverse equipment use in rescue operations, including notable missions. Attendees will also have the chance to meet the team members. “We’ve had incredible support from the community over the years,” Trites added. “This event is also a way to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who has stood by us—whether as a volunteer, a supporter, or someone we’ve had the privilege of rescuing. It’s truly a celebration of the community spirit that makes everything we do possible.”