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Indigenous Support

AdventureSmart

SARVAC

Humanitarian Workforce Program

Find Your Nearest SAR Team

Volunteer Resources

Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada

The Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC) is a registered not-for-profit and educational organization that supports, coordinates, develops, informs, promotes and implements search, rescue and emergency response with the underlying principle of saving lives.
Our History

SAR Teams in Canada

Volunteers

Training, Admin, & Prevention Hours Annually

Person-Hours on Searches Annually

Strengthening National Search and Rescue Leadership – Coast to Coast to Coast

This past weekend in Toronto, SARVAC’s Humanitarian Workforce Program (HWF) proudly hosted its "Train the Trainer" event! The workshop’s mission? To empower champions within each Provincial/Territorial (P/T) Association to amplify SARVAC’s HWF program. These champions...
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How can GSAR volunteers in Canada contribute to disaster relief?

We’re thrilled to share the recent completion of our Full-Scale Exercise “Effective Impact 2024,” held on October 5th in Constance Bay, Ottawa! This one-day event brought together over 100 GSAR volunteers to simulate disaster relief in response to a powerful hurricane...
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Full Scale Exercise (FSX): Effective Impact 2024 Observer/VIP Program

We are thrilled to announce our upcoming Full-Scale Exercise (FSX) "Effective Impact 2024," set to take place on Saturday, October 5, 2024! Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM EDSTLocation: Community Centres City of Ottawa, Constance Buckham’s Bay, 262 Len Purcell Drive,...
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Attention Search and Rescue (SAR) Volunteers!

Your dedication and bravery in air, ground, and marine operations are invaluable. But we know that the mental health challenges that are faced are significant and often unrecognized. That’s why we’re reaching out for your help. A research team from the University of...
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Welcome Home all GSAR Volunteers deployed to Labrador as part of the Humanitarian Workforce Program (HWF)

We are thrilled to welcome back all GSAR volunteers who were deployed to Labrador as part of the Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada, Humanitarian Workforce Program (HWF). Your dedicated support followed the mobilization of volunteers from Newfoundland...
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Our Mission

The Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC) is a volunteer-led organization dedicated to training and practicing search, rescue, and survival skills across Canada.

Supported by the National Search and Rescue Secretariat and funded through donations and fundraising efforts, SARVAC plays a vital role in national search and rescue operations. Beyond its operational efforts, SARVAC serves as a key liaison, fostering collaboration among federal, provincial, territorial, local, and volunteer search and rescue agencies and organizations.

Find Your Local GSAR Team

 Looking to connect with your local Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) team or provincial/territorial association?

Whether you're interested in volunteering, training, or learning more about how GSAR teams support your community, this tool helps you easily locate and contact the team nearest you.

Find Your Local GSAR Team

 Looking to connect with your local Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) team or provincial/territorial association?

Whether you’re interested in volunteering, training, or learning more about how GSAR teams support your community, this tool helps you easily locate and contact the team nearest you.

“Avalanche conditions were high and we are limited as to what kind of terrain we can travel through on the ground. Our night helicopter went out and with NVGs you can see a light source from miles away. We located the subject in the gully, we hoisted a member down to him, put him in the harness and got him out quickly. There was minimal exposure to avalanche terrain and less danger for rescuers.”

John Blown

Air Operations Coordinator, North Shore Rescue (NSR)

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