Province seeks out Penticton Search and Rescue for funding grant

PENTICTON – A provincial government funding announcement today has given Penticton Search and Rescue some financial breathing room.

Randy Brown with search and rescue says the one time $92,000 grant announced today, June 3, will go a long way towards updating equipment and training programs, and maintaining and upgrading search and rescue vehicles. 

Brown says it costs $65,000 annually just for his organization to keep the doors open.

“Timing wise, this was really good. Our treasurer was pushing for cuts and the need to develop fundraising strategies," Brown says. "It’s given us some breathing room as we continue working to develop strategic relationships within the community for funding.”

The Penticton search and rescue team has a number of specialized teams, including helicopter long line evacuation, swift water rescue, ice rescue and medical teams.

“We’re a bit of a hub, that way, as we provide help to other search and rescue units. We’re always training, and there is always equipment to be maintained and brought up to date,” Brown says.

The Oliver-Osoyoos Search and Rescue team received just over $31,000 in grant funding, while Keremeos Search and Rescue got $25,000.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.