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Rocky Mountain House Volunteer Search and Rescue (Rocky SAR) was incorporated in 1991.  We are a volunteer, non-profit organization, dedicated to saving lives by providing a highly trained and skilled search and rescue organization to the people of Clearwater County and surrounding areas. We are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to respond to search, rescue and recovery operations in wilderness, urban and disaster environments. Located along the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies we specialize in mountainous terrain and high angle rescue and are a fully accredited member of the international Mountain Rescue Association.

Background

In 1988 two-year-old Jesse Rinker walked away from his home on the Sunchild First Nation and disappeared. Despite an extensive search involving over 1000 convergent volunteers the boy was not found until a year later when his father, out for a walk, found his little red boot.

Just two years later, toddler Brett Luoma wondered away from a group campout, west of Rocky Mountain House. Again, the community rallied to look for the little boy with over 300 people showing up to search. He was found the next day by the British army which was training in the area, unfortunately he had drown in the creek.

Recognizing the community need for trained search and rescue team, a group of individuals, with the support of the local RCMP – started training in search and rescue techniques and incorporated the Rocky Mountain House Volunteer Search and Rescue Society (Rocky SAR) in 1991. Located along the eastern slopes of the Rockies and adjacent to both Banff and Jasper National Parks – the team quickly expanded to include a strong rescue component with the development of a speciality mountain rescue team within the organization. The team also trains in basic search and rescue, swift water rescue, ATV and snowmobile response, wilderness first aid, search management and human tracking.

Over the years Rocky Mountain House Search and Rescue volunteers have donated tens of thousands of hours responding to the need of those who are lost or in distress. The dedication to saving lives includes wilderness survival training for children and adults through Adventure Smart and other public safety programs.

If you are interested in joining, please fill out our Membership Application