Houston Search and Rescue (SAR) are calling on the province to allow SAR teams to expand the services they can offer.
In 2020, the SAR Director for the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) issued a moratorium preventing new capabilities from being created.
This was so a capability needs assessment could be executed by the province, which was never completed.
Houston SAR President Andy Muma said this could lead to a vital resource not being available in the future.
“The one we’re very interested in right now is a Canine Search Dog, which is a capability that requires approval from EMCR, and we have an application in for approval which has sat for three weeks now,” he said.
He added this is something they’ve wanted as previous searches required accessing either the Prince George or Terrace RCMP search dogs.
The closest SAR search dog is stationed in Kamloops.
If successful in applying for the canine search dog capability, it would mean SAR groups across northern BC would have easier access to the resource and a higher chance of locating missing individuals.
In creating an application to obtain the capability, the Houston SAR received letters of recommendation from the police and the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako.
With the moratorium in place, there is a possibility their application won’t be accepted, and they’ll lose the dog and handler currently being trained for the role.
“This dog and the handler have passed the first level of certification with the Search Dog Association of B.C., and that training has to continue,” said Muma.
If their application isn’t accepted in six months, it would mean the canine handler duo can’t train with the Houston SAR and could lose the certification they have.
The next step after working in the north for a bit would be returning to Merritt to receive the next level of certification.
The Bulkley Valley SAR is waiting on an application for a Flat Ice Rescue Capability, and the Fort St. James SAR for a Tracking Capability.