News

Government of Canada Invests $3 Million to Strengthen Volunteer Search and Rescue Across Canada

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...

Strengthening Disaster Response: Volunteers Take Part in 2026 Multi-Jurisdictional Search Exercise

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...

Thanks TD for $25,000 Donation Supporting Humanitarian Workforce Program

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...

Remembering Kevin “Dwight” Holloway

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 President Janelle Coultes Appointed Co-Chair of the Ground Search and Rescue Council of Canada

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...

Labour Day Weekend

  It’s that time of year again and Summer is ending. The leaves are falling, the days are shorter, the temperature is cooling and the kids are headed back to school. But we want you to know how that will affect your long weekend ability to be prepared for the...

SARVAC Communication Officer Job Opening

Communications Officer Work Profile  The Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC) is looking for a motivated, ambitious and reliable individual to become their new Communication Officer. While in this role, the successful candidate will be required...

SARSCENE 2021

The SARscene 2021 conference registration website has officially launched! Please help us spread the word.   www.sarscene2021.ca 1) Registration  There is no charge for registration (thanks to funding from Public Safety Canada) and, with it being totally virtual, you...

***As a result of the emergency surrounding COVID-19, the deadline for submission of comments and changes to the CSA competency standards and curriculum (Z1620 and Z1625) has been extended to December 31, 2020**** SARVAC-CSA Request for comments and changes to the CSA Z1620-15 and Z1625-16 GSAR Standards

SARVAC-CSA Request for comments and changes to CSA Z1620-15, Core Competency Standards for Ground Search and Rescue Operations: Searcher, Team Leader, and SAR Manager; and CSA Z1625-16, Training Curriculum Standards for Ground Search and Rescue Operations: Searcher,...

SARSCENE 2020 CANCELLATION ANNOUNCEMENT

SARSCENE 2020 CANCELLATION ANNOUNCEMENT The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is being felt around the country and the world.  Due to physical distancing concerns with mass gatherings including conferences, and the Federal and Provincial health advisories and travel...

SARSCENE 2020

SARscene 2020 SARscene, an annual gathering of Canada's search and rescue community, will take place in St. John’s, Newfoundland Labrador from October 29 to November 1, 2020.  The event is being co-hosted by SARVAC and the Newfoundland and Labrador Search and Rescue...

SARVAC-GSAR – Quebec

The Quebec SARVAC – GSAR Curriculum Trainer Development Session
La session québécoise de développement de la formation curriculaire SARVAC-GSAR

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