Volunteer Resources
GSAR National Certification Program (GSAR-NCP)
The GSAR National Certification Program (GSAR-NCP) sets national standards for Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) members across Canada.
This program is intended for SARVAC-affiliated Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) members in Canada.*
- Certification ensures GSAR members meet CSA Z1620:24 competencies for Searchers, Team Leaders, and SAR Managers. CSA Z1620:24
- Endorsement will validate third-party training courses to CSA Core competency standards for ground search and rescue operations: Searcher, Team Leader, and SAR Manager standards.
Next Steps:
- GSAR members: Apply for National Certification through your P/T GSAR Association.
- Training providers: The endorsement program has launched.
Training Curriculum Standards
Complementing the CSA Z1620:24, SARVAC presents Z1625:24, a competency-based training curriculum.
This standard provides a framework for evaluating and enhancing GSAR training programs across Canada, ensuring alignment with national competency requirements.
GSAR Core Competency Standards
SARVAC proudly presents CSA Z1620:24, the Core Competency Standards for Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) in Canada. These standards, developed through extensive collaboration with SAR experts across all levels, establish a national benchmark for searchers, team leaders, and SAR managers.
While these standards are voluntary, SARVAC encourages their adoption by authorities, practitioners, and training providers to enhance the effectiveness and consistency of GSAR operations. SARVAC continues to support training curriculum development, endorsement NOT accreditation, and ongoing improvements through a five-year review cycle.
Courses and Learning Opportunities
SARVAC is pleased to share two free online awareness courses from Boreal River Rescue available exclusiveley to GSAR volunteers
These self-paced introductory courses are designed to build foundational knowledge for operating safely in ice and moving water environments through interactive learning, videos, and scenario-based content. Registration is simple — sign up through the links below and course access will be automatically delivered by email. We encourage all GSAR volunteers to take advantage of this valuable training opportunity.
French-language versions will be shared once available.
Online Ice Safety & Rescue – Intro Course
Learn the fundamentals of ice safety, hazard recognition, self-rescue techniques, and safe travel practices on frozen waterways.
Register for the Ice Safety & Rescue Intro Course
Course details:
· Approximately 4 hours of online learning
· 3 weeks to complete the course
· Certificate of Completion available upon successful completion
· Counts as mandatory pre-course preparation for the in-person 2-day Ice Safety & Rescue (ISR) course when completed within 6 months
Online Whitewater Safety & Rescue – Intro Course
Gain essential awareness of river hazards, risk management principles, and basic rescue concepts for moving water environments.
Register for the Whitewater Safety & Rescue Intro Course
Mental Wellness Program
Supporting the mental health and well-being of GSAR volunteers.
Emergency response work can be both physically and psychologically demanding. Through its Mental Wellness Program, SARVAC is committed to providing Ground Search and Rescue volunteers with the education, resources, and support they need to maintain their well-being before, during, and after critical incidents.
Built on a foundation of prevention, crisis intervention, and post-incident support, the program helps strengthen resilience and promote long-term mental wellness across Canada’s SAR community.
To learn more about SARVAC’s Humanitarian Workforce (HWF) Mental Wellness Program, available resources, training opportunities, and support services, visit:
Crisis Response
Crisis lines and helplines offer immediate interventions for individuals who are experiencing mental health issues. This could include a situational crisis, depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts.
Call 988 for immediate crisis assistance. If a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
Boots on the Ground
Anonymous peer support for First Responders, by First Responders. Some things aren’t just “part of the job.”.
While Boots on the Ground is an Ontario based organization, they will not turn away calls from First Responders in other Provinces/Territories.
Talk Suicide
This crisis line is available to anyone 24/7/365 who is in a crisis, struggling to understand or cope with suicidal thoughts, or worried about someone else.Hope for Wellness
This 24/7 helpline is available to all Indigenous people across Canada. Hope For Wellness services are provided by counselors who demonstrate cultural competence and have a diverse educational and professional background.
Both telephone and online chat services are available in English and French. Telephone support is also available upon request in: Cree, Ojibway (Anishinaabemowin), Inuktitut.
Counselling
If you’re looking for long-term help with your mental health, you might want to consider counselling. The goal of a counselor is to promote and optimize a person’s mental well-being, whether that be before, or after a critical incident.
PSPNET
PSPNET has both therapist-guided and self-guided courses for individuals to take. The therapist-guided courses are only offered in specific provinces at this time (NB, NS, PEI, QC, and SK).
Badge of Life Canada
This organization offers weekly peer support meetings for Canadian public safety personnel. The meetings are held on Zoom and led by mental health professionals and trained peer supporters.
They also have a list of counsellors who specialize in First Responder mental health.
Peer Support, Resiliency, Building, and Tools
These resources can help you find ways to cope with mental health issues, or build your resiliency to critical incident stress.
Wounded Warriors
Helping Canada’s Veterans, First Responders and their families feel: Safe, Supported and Understood.
Trauma Resiliancy Training and One-On-One Counselling is available.
Canadian Red Cross
Free online Psychological First Aid training from the Canadian Red Cross helps volunteers and staff develop practical skills to support themselves and others during emergencies and stressful events.
Available in English and French, these self-paced courses take approximately 45–90 minutes to complete and include a certificate valid for 10 years. No prior mental health or emergency response experience is required.
Learn more and register:
Wayfound | Before Operation Stress
Before Operational Stress (BOS) is a program offered through Wayfound, funded by the Government of Canada. BOS offers an online resiliency-based program that encourages frontline workers, like search and rescue personnel, to take charge of their mental health. The program is designed to mitigate the effects of critical incident stress and help responders understand the impact it can have.
CIPSRT
How is your health today?
Please click on the link below to view a list of anonymous online screening tools provided to help identify symptoms of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
SARVAC E-Learning
Enhance your GSAR knowledge with SARVAC’s eLearning platform!
The SAR Searcher Basics online program is an interactive course that provides an overview of the Searcher Core Competency Standards and offers two (2) primary hours toward the Search and Rescue Volunteer Tax Credit (SRVTC). The national certification exams must be completed as part of the SARVAC national certification requirements.
How to Enroll:
- Register using the appropriate program access code (see below for the list of codes) based on your level.
- Complete your registration through the SARVAC eLearning portal and make sure you check “Yes” for a new course prior to entering your code.
- Check your email to receive your login credentials
- Log in and begin your course
- Complete the training to earn your SRVTC credit
E-Learning Access Codes
Use the following access codes based on your training or certification level:
- SAR Searcher Basics Online Program: 53837115834467
- SAR Searcher National Certification Exam: 72514076908177
- SAR Team Leader National Certification Exam: 79413674115215
- SAR Manager National Certification Exam: 88680787142657
SAR Volunteer Tax Credit
SARVAC has prepared guidlies to assist in making claims for the Fedreal Tax Credit for GSAR Volunteers.
“I have met many of my best and now lifelong friends since joining here and wouldn’t have it any other way.”
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