Salt Spring Island Search and Rescue

SSISAR had a very busy lead up as we completed our move to our new temporary base in the old fire hall in on .

2 separate requests for assistance on the same day sent SSISAR volunteers across the island assisting BC Emergency Health Services Salt Spring Island Fire Rescue and RCMP in British Columbia with 2 medical rescues, one involving rope rescue and the other for an injured hiker with a lower leg injury requiring evacuation.

Excellent interagency coordination and collaboration reinforces the strong team we have on . Well done to all emergency responders on a very busy day.

As of 2100hrs August 18th, 2026, we have are now fully operational from our new location, continuing to provide SAR services at
The start of a new era!

Devastating news to hear about the sudden loss of Mike Coyle. Our most sincere condolences to his family, friends and teammates Coquitlam SAR.
We mourn with you.

Emergency Response Exercises scheduled for tomorrow June 16th 1800-2130hrs in the Brinkworthy and Norton rd area of

Looking forward to this interagency scenario to help better serve our community!

Salt Spring Island Fire-Rescue, Emergency Management Salt Spring Island, and Salt Spring Island Search and Rescue will be conducting a joint wildfire evacuation exercise this Tuesday, June 16, 2026 in the Brinkworthy area. Exercise Tinderbox will run from 7:15 PM to 9:00 PM.

Residents may see emergency vehicles with lights active, personnel conducting door-to-door notifications on foot, and community members walking to the Brinkworthy Place Community Building as part of the exercise. This is a training exercise only. There is no emergency. The exercise is a closed participant event and public involvement is not required. We ask that non-participants avoid the Brinkworthy and Norton Road area during the exercise window.

Thank you for your patience and support as we train to keep our community safer.

Task report: February 5th, 2026, 1500hrs.
was tasked by to assist in the technical evacuation of an injured person who had slipped on some wet rocks down a hiking trail in which resulted in injuries requiring a stretcher carry over rough terrain.
Working shoulder to shoulder with members who had arrived on scene, and provided initial care and treatment the medical team concluded based on the injuries sustained that the safest and most comfortable option was to evacuate by sea from a nearby beach. The injured subject was repackaged in a vacuum spine board and blanket for better hypothermia and injury control, with additional pain relief and was stretcher carried by SSIFR and GSAR members to the awaiting 20 - Pender Island vessel nearby.
Subject was handed over to paramedics in Ganges for further treatment and transport to local hospital in stable condition with their pain well managed. This response demonstrated the incredible teamwork and collaboration between multiple agencies, all working together to help an individual in need. Fantastic work to all involved, this call highlights the fantastic working relationships we have on Salt Spring and the Gulf Islands. A very special thank you to the incredible bystanders on scene for all their assistance.
DYK? saltspringsar has and our dedicated professional volunteers are available 24/7/365d

We are excited to have the opportunity to co-present the award winning film EVEREST DARK, hosted by the Salt Spring Film Festival. Playing at ArtSpring on January 21st, 2026 at 1930hrs.

Prior to the screening there will be a short showcase of some of the skills, training and cutting edge equipment that our local volunteers provide to our community at , 24/7/365

Buy your tickets through the link below, and we hope to see you there!

Don't miss Best of the Fests: EVEREST DARK on Wed. Jan. 21 at ArtSpring, co-presented by Salt Spring Island Search and Rescue!

Behold the breathtaking beauty of Mount Everest as you‘ve never seen it before – through the eyes of the Sherpa people who worship the mountain as Chomolungma, the sacred Mother Goddess of the World.

Featuring spectacular aerial cinematography and reverential respect for a distinctly non-European worldview, don’t miss this jaw-dropping, award-winning film from Vancouver filmmaker Jereme Watt.

Lest we Forget.