$500K supports public safety in the backcountry

Heading into the holiday season, the Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC) and BC Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA) have each received $250,000 in gaming grants to support their operations and public safety efforts.

However, the gift they really want this year can only come from you – getting the right gear, training and information before going into the backcountry.

The CAC produces daily avalanche forecasts for most of the mountainous regions in western Canada, outside national parks – close to 250,000 square kilometres. The BCSARA supports more than 2,500 search-and-rescue volunteers in more than 80 communities. Both groups support backcountry safety public education efforts in order reduce deaths and injuries.

This gaming grant funding is part of $4.1 million for search and rescue, firefighting and other emergency-related organizations confirmed so far.

Getting in on the funding are two Elk Valley operations: Fernie Volunteer Ski Patrol Society – $6,180; and Sparwood Search & Rescue Society – $56,500.

“The Canadian Avalanche Centre and BC Search and Rescue Association, along with their membership, do tremendous work educating people about safe practices when heading into the winter backcountry – work that saves lives. We encourage everyone to listen to these experts: get the gear, get the training, check the forecasts and leave a plan,” said Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton. “The B.C. government is committed to supporting public safety throughout the province and gaming grants enhance the ability of the diverse public safety organizations in our communities, where it matters most.”

BCSARA president Don Bindon said, “Search and Rescue volunteers respond to more than 1,000 incidents of lost or injured people every year in the B.C. wilderness, more than the rest of Canada combined. Through BCSARA, this funding will continue to support training and education for our dedicated volunteers.”

“Our teams know first-hand the importance of education. Making sure you leave a trip plan and sticking to it when exploring B.C.’s backcountry in the winter can mean the difference between life and death if you get lost or injured.”

Gilles Valade, CAC executive director added, “We’ve seen a steady downward trend in the number of avalanche fatalities over the past 10 years. This is especially significant when we consider the tremendous increase in winter backcountry use over that same time period. This funding allows us to continue to provide our public avalanche warning service as well as our public education efforts.”

“The goal of the CAC is to ensure that everyone going into avalanche terrain carries essential safety gear-a transceiver, probe and shovel-and knows how to use it, has taken an Avalanche Skills Training course, and checks the avalanche forecast before heading out.”

According to research looking at coroners’ statistics, an average of 10 persons die each year in B.C. while engaged in winter activities like skiing, snowboarding or snowmobiling. Another 15 or more persons die each year from hypothermia or exposure to cold.

The foundation of CAC’s public avalanche warning service is built on information submitted by an extensive network of avalanche professionals. This data allows the CAC to provide backcountry users with a forecast of the avalanche and snowpack conditions.

Enrolment in Avalanche Skills Training courses coordinated through the CAC continues to climb. Last year, close to 7,000 people took that two-day course.

B.C. also supports the CAC with $255,000 in funding through Emergency Management BC and the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. In addition, funding is provided to the CAC to cover Special Avalanche Warning Bulletins at a cost of $2,500 per bulletin four to six times per year.

The BCSARA enhances the provision of volunteer search and rescue services in the province by facilitating access to funding, educating the general public on outdoor safety, and providing volunteers with a common link to information and resources.

Last year, the province supported B.C. search-and-rescue-affiliated groups with a total of $7 million in funding through training, gaming grants, liability and operational reimbursement.

For a one-stop shop of information and links on backcountry safety, visit Emergency Info BC:

https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/campaigns/backcountry-safety.html

For information on avalanche training or to view avalanche bulletins, visit https://www.avalanche.ca/cac/

To find a search and rescue team near you or for information on public safety efforts, visit www.bcsara.com/

Also receiving funding in this round are:

Golden & District Search and Rescue Association – $35,000;

Golden Volunteer Firefighters Society – $225,000;

West Creston Fire Protection Society – $3,900;

Canadian Avalanche Centre – $250,000;

British Columbia Search and Rescue Association – $250,000;

Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog Association – $70,000.

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