News

2025 SARVAC Humanitarian Workforce Wildfire Operations Recap 

July 15 – August 29, 2025 More than 179 trained Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) volunteers from across Canada answered the call to support wildfire response. Deployment Highlights Manitoba 107 responders 783 person-days Newfoundland & Labrador 88 responders 656...

Humanitarian Workforce (HWF) Deployment Update

This week, our final rotations remained fully engaged with operational tasks while preparing for demobilization. Some SARVAC HWF responders from Nova Scotia returned home on short notice to support their own communities facing active wildfire emergencies. Meanwhile,...

SARVAC Humanitarian Workforce Program (HWF) Update – NL and MB Deployments

📍 Newfoundland & Labrador: Since the start of this week, the National Incident Support Team (NIST) has been activated, and SARVAC HWF response planning is ongoing. Mission Ready Group NL Rotation 1 has been selected. Travel is arranged, a Base of Operations has...

Wildfire National Response Update

Actively Monitoring in Newfoundland & Supporting Operations in Winnipeg from the HWF Team As the first week of August comes to a close, wildfires in Newfoundland and Labrador have prompted a State of Emergency and Evacuation Order, with the Holyrood Fire still...

WEEK 2 UPDATE | Manitoba Wildfire Evacuation Support 

SARVAC’s Humanitarian Workforce Program (HWF) continues to maintain a steady presence on the ground in Winnipeg, supporting wildfire evacuees across Manitoba. Following the successful launch of operations earlier this month, Rotation #2 has now completed its...
(GSAR-NCP) Program Certification Recognition 

(GSAR-NCP) Program Certification Recognition 

Congratulations to Patrick Reid from Battlefords Search and Rescue for your achievement in becoming a certified Team Leader under The Ground Search and Rescue – National Certification Pilot (GSAR-NCP) program. Congratulations to Patrick Reid (left) The program,...

SARVAC HWF: First Train the Trainer Workshop

This past weekend was exciting for the SARVAC Humanitarian Workforce (HWF) program and various GSAR responders across the country as the first SARVAC HWF Train the Trainer workshop was rolled out. The purpose of these workshops is to train champions within each...

Are you a Search and Rescue Volunteer in Canada?

Did you know that you can provide input into critical research on post-traumatic stress injuries for the SAR community that will help determine the next steps of what volunteers need in the way of mental health resources across Canada. If you are a SAR volunteer,...

CSA Z1620 and Z1625 Core Competency Draft Standards Update

CSA Z1620 and Z1625 Core Competency Draft Standards Update

Please be advised that the updated CSA Z1620 and Z1625 Core Competency and Curriculum Draft Standards have been posted for 60 day Public Review on CSA’s Public Review Website. These Standards provide core competency and training curriculum requirements for Ground...

NSS Now Accepting SARN NIF  Funding Proposals for 2024-2025

NSS Now Accepting SARN NIF Funding Proposals for 2024-2025

The National Search and Rescue Secretariat (NSS) is NOW accepting funding proposals under the Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund (SAR NIF) for 2024-2025. Public Safety Canada invites eligible applicants to submit applications for projects that support the updated...

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