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,...

We’re proud to celebrate 30 years of saving lives through collaboration, innovation, and education. For three decades, SARVAC has supported volunteer-based Ground Search and Rescue efforts across Canada—bringing together a national network of highly trained responders...

It is with profound sadness that we share the recent passing of our colleague, mentor, and friend, Paul St-Onge, Training Coordinator for the Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC) Humanitarian Workforce Program. Paul was an integral part of our...

Earlier this week in Ottawa, SARVAC was pleased to participate in the Ready 2026 Conference, hosted by the Canadian Red Cross. We were represented in person by Lawrence Conway, Humanitarian Workforce (HWF) Program Director, with President Janelle Coultes joining...

For Mission Incident Support Team (MIST)/ National Incident Support Team (NIST) & Indigenous Unit Leads: Additional Training Opportunity Optional training and reference materials are available to support MIST/NIST members and Indigenous Unit Leads (IUL). While...

Earlier this week, representatives from Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations, several Alberta First Nations, SARVAC, and Holistic Emergency Preparedness gathered in Edmonton — on the traditional territory of First Nations and Métis, and covered under Treaty 6  —...

📚 Role-Specific & Leadership Resources As part of SARVAC’s Indigenous Awareness Campaign, we’re offering leadership-level resources to strengthen cultural competency and support respectful, community-centered HWF deployments. This awareness also supports local...

Cultural Awareness Strengthens Search and Rescue Response November 2–8 marks Treaties Recognition Week in Ontario— an opportunity for Ontarians, and Canadians more broadly, to deepen understanding and engagement with Indigenous peoples as part of the ongoing process...