Vernon Search and Rescue wins online contest with community voting help

VERNON – The volunteers with Vernon Search and Rescue will soon be the proud owners of a much-needed piece of equipment.

The group has won a side-by-side off road vehicle, or UTV, from KIOTI Tractor through an online contest.

“None of this would have been possible of course, without the willingness of every caring individual who took the time and effort to share our posts, vote, and encourage others to do the same,” a post to the group’s Facebook page said.

Spokesperson Trevor Honigman said the UTV will allow them to bring equipment and people to search sites along logging roads, adding it’s a piece of equipment they don’t have.

Search and Rescue was planning to buy one, but now they can use that money for other much-needed equipment.

“We could use the funds to buy a trailer for the UTV and equipment to outfit it with,” Honigman said.

Vernon Search and Rescue has existed since 1960, with members responding to dozens of calls every year in the North Okanagan backcountry. Volunteers assist with everything from injured hikers, to lost snowmobilers to missing people in urban environments.

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