Kitimat Search and Rescue

A Big Thank You to the Kitimat Flying Club! 🚁✈️

Kitimat Ground Search and Rescue would like to extend a huge thank you to all of the Kitimat Flying Club volunteers for the time, effort, and dedication they put into maintaining and caring for the Kitimat Airpark (CBW2).

The Airpark is more than a place for recreational aviation—it is an important facility for our community and provides valuable access for emergency services, including helicopter operations for search and rescue.

The work that goes into keeping an airpark safe, accessible, and operational often happens behind the scenes. We appreciate the volunteers who give their time to maintain the grounds and facility and help ensure that this resource remains available when our community needs it.

We were grateful to join the Fly-In & Airpark Appreciation Day on Sunday and to see the community come together to celebrate aviation and the people who make the Airpark possible.

Thank you, Kitimat Flying Club, for helping keep this important community resource flying—and available for those who may need it most. ❤️

BC AdventureSmart

A huge thank you to the Haisla Volunteer Fire Department for having KGSAR out! It’s always a pleasure getting together for training, sharing skills and knowledge, and learning from each other. We’re grateful for the invitation and the opportunity to work alongside such a great group. Looking forward to more days like this! 🤝

Upcoming Track Aware/Tracker courses Sept 18-20 in Terrace, hosted by Terrace Search and Rescue

More information at: https://bctracking.org/events/track-aware-tracker-terrace-5/

Last night was a meaningful one for Kitimat Ground Search and Rescue.

We had the privilege of welcoming Gill and Dave, Nick Hopwood’s mom and stepdad, to Kitimat to meet our team and see the Swiftwater rescue boat that their incredible support—and the generosity of our community—helped make possible.

The boat was officially dedicated in Nick’s memory and named NICK.

Nick was just 21 when he lost his life on the Kitimat River in 2019. His death was devastating for his family and our community, but his legacy has continued to make a difference. In the years since, Nick’s family, KGSAR, local guides and community members have worked to promote river safety and help prevent another family from experiencing the same loss.

Today, Nick’s name is carried forward in a very tangible way. This boat will be used by our team to respond when people need help on the waterways in our region.

Gill and Dave, thank you for coming back to Kitimat, for trusting us with Nick’s legacy, and for the incredible support you have given our team and our community. We are honoured to carry Nick’s name forward.

And to everyone who helped make this boat possible: THANK YOU. This is what a community can accomplish when people come together with purpose.

Remember N.I.C.K.

N-Never use waders without a belt.
I- Include a knife to cut waders and remove trapped water.
C- Coser to shore is safer.
K- Keep your PFD on at all times.

Nick’s legacy continues to help people come home.

❤️ KGSAR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kitimat Ground Search and Rescue Responds to Injured Hunter in Remote Mountain Area

Kitimat, BC — August 16, 2026 — Kitimat Ground Search and Rescue (KGSAR) responded Sunday afternoon to an emergency involving an injured hunter in a remote mountain area approximately 16 kilometres from Kitamaat Village.

The emergency response was initiated after an SOS alert was activated through an inReach satellite communication device by members of the hunting group. The alert provided an important means of initiating assistance from an area where conventional cellular communication may not be available.

Eight KGSAR members responded to the call. Due to the remote and mountainous location, two KGSAR members were transported into the area by Canadian Helicopters, allowing the team to reach the hunting group and assist with the evacuation.

The operation was coordinated with multiple emergency-service partners, including the Kitimat RCMP, BC Ambulance Service, Kitimat Fire Department, and Canadian Helicopters.

Due to the temporary closure of Kitimat General Hospital’s emergency department, the patient was transported by air to the emergency department in Terrace for further medical care.

The response was successfully resolved within several hours of the initial SOS activation.

KGSAR would like to recognize and thank all of the emergency-service partners involved in today's response. In particular, Canadian Helicopters provided critical aviation support that enabled rescuers to access the remote location efficiently and safely. The cooperation and coordination of the RCMP, BC Ambulance Service, and Kitimat Fire Department were also greatly appreciated.

Backcountry Safety Reminder

KGSAR reminds hunters, hikers, and other backcountry users that remote terrain can present significant challenges for emergency responders. Before heading into the backcountry, ensure someone knows your planned route and expected return time, carry appropriate equipment for the conditions, and have a reliable means of communicating an emergency.

Satellite communication and SOS devices such as an inReach can be particularly valuable in areas without cellular coverage. Know how your device works before you need it, and make sure it is charged and accessible while travelling.

https://northernsentinel.com/2026/07/04/kitimat-search-and-rescue-honoured-with-distinguished-citizen-award/

Kitimat search and rescue honoured with Distinguished Citizen Award - Northern Sentinel Community volunteers among residents recognized for service and leadership

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kitimat Ground Search and Rescue Assists Two Stranded Fishermen on the Kitimat River

Kitimat, BC – July 3, 2026 – At approximately 9:40 a.m. on July 3, 2026, the RCMP tasked Kitimat Ground Search and Rescue (KGSAR) to assist two fishermen stranded on an island in the lower Kitimat River.

Ten KGSAR volunteers responded to the call. A rescue team of four members deployed by rescue boat, while additional members provided support from shore. A command team coordinated the response from across the river to ensure effective communication and safe operations.

The two fishermen had been caught off guard by rising river levels and were unable to safely leave the island. Both individuals were successfully reached and transported to safety by approximately 10:40 a.m.

It is a good reminder that even though its not raining hard and temperatures aren’t high, conditions on the Kitimat River are constantly changing. River levels can rise with little warning, making islands and gravel bars unsafe.

Kitimat Ground Search and Rescue would like to thank the RCMP and the Kitimat Hatchery staff for their assistance and cooperation, which contributed to the successful outcome of this incident.

Kitimat Ground Search and Rescue
Media Relations

🏆 We are honoured to announce that Kitimat Ground Search and Rescue has received the 2026 Distinguished Citizen Award.

Presented on Canada Day, this award recognizes individuals and organizations that go above and beyond to build a strong and positive community.

This recognition belongs to every one of our dedicated volunteers, as well as our families, supporters, and community partners who make our work possible.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the years. It is an honour to serve the Kitimat community, and we remain committed to being there when we're needed most.

❤️ Thank you, Kitimat.