August 13, 2026 The Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC) is grateful to the Government of Canada for its continued confidence in SARVAC and its support of the thousands of volunteers who dedicate their time, skills, and expertise to helping...

More than 80 search and rescue volunteers. Three provinces. One mission: be ready when disaster strikes. Last month, SARVAC President Janelle Coultes joined volunteers from Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba for the 2026 Multi-Jurisdictional Search Exercise (MJSE) in...

The Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC) is pleased to recognize TD for its generous $25,000 donation in support of SARVAC's Humanitarian Workforce (HWF) Program. This investment will help strengthen SARVAC's ability to support communities across...

It is with great sadness that the Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC) shares the passing of Kevin “Dwight” Holloway, a dedicated leader and passionate advocate for search and rescue in Canada. Dwight served as SARVAC’s Executive Director from...

SARVAC is pleased to announce that President Janelle Coultes has been appointed Co-Chair of the Ground Search and Rescue Council of Canada (GSARCC). The GSAR Council of Canada brings together provincial and territorial search and rescue authorities, along with...

SARVAC is pleased to share two free online awareness courses from Boreal River Rescue, available exclusively to GSAR volunteers. We would like to extend a sincere thank you to Boreal River Rescue for generously providing these valuable training opportunities free of...

With Emergency Preparedness Week 2026 in full swing, it is an important reminder for Canadians everywhere to be prepared and understand the risks facing our communities. Emergencies are becoming more frequent, more severe, and more costly—and preparedness has never...

Volunteer canine teams play a critical role in Canada’s search and rescue system. Until now, however, there has been no unified national standard to guide their training, operational roles, or deployment. That is now changing. SARVAC’s National SAR Canine Program is...

SARVAC is pleased to welcome Bill Peck as the newest Territorial Representative for the Northwest Territories on the SARVAC Board of Directors. Bill brings over eleven years of experience in Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR), along with a strong background in geomatics,...