Terrace Search and Rescue

UPDATE: We can confirm that the subject was found SAFE. :)

Terrace SAR was just notified that the female missing from Thornhill since yesterday was found.

Thank you for all the volunteers, family members, friends and supporters that helped this Search come to a conclusion

Thank you to Waterlily Bay Resort for allowing TSAR to use your boat launch last week. Your continued support means a great deal to our team!

This opportunity allowed our boat operators to explore safe access points and become more familiar with the environmental features along the Lakelse Lake shoreline.

By scouting popular locations in and around our community, TSAR can develop pre-trip plans and gather valuable information that may be critical during future callouts. This preparation helps our teams respond more efficiently when emergencies arise.

Trip planning, Training, and Taking the essentials are the three Ts for safely enjoying the outdoors. Curious about what this could looks like for your water-related activities? Check out BC AdventureSmart's water safety section: https://www.adventuresmart.ca/

Just a few more weeks to go, until our next local Track Aware / Tracker course 👣

These courses teach searchers how to spot and read clues left behind by a missing person. Clues can be (partial) footprints, broken plants, disturbance in vegetation,...

Being able to interpret and see those clues can help our team to find a missing person more quickly

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/

At midnight on the night from Sunday into Monday, several Terrace SAR (TSAR) members left the comfort of their homes to support Bulkley Valley Search and Rescue (BVSAR) during a mutual-aid callout.

A female hiker had taken an alternative descent and became stranded on the edge of a cliff. Of the volunteers who responded at the SAR hall, five TSAR rope team members made the drive to Smithers to assist.

Very early in the operation, our BVSAR colleagues had already deployed a drone to not only assess the scene, determine the subject’s condition, and identify the safest possible route for extraction. They had also used the drone to establish a string line, allowing the subject to haul up essential supplies such as a blanket, food, water, and a radio so she could stay informed about what was happening.

At first light, two extraction options were considered and prepared:
* A rope team would approach from above and lower the subject safely to the ground.
* A helicopter extraction using a Helicopter External Transport System (HETS) deployed from Prince George would pick up the subject from the cliff's edge.

Smithers’ Silver King Helicopters generously agreed to transport the rope team to higher ground. This allowed the team to bring additional resources closer to the scene while significantly reducing the time required to reach the subject.

Once all teams were operational, it was determined that a rope rescue would be the safest option. BVSAR and TSAR members worked together to establish a 150+ metre rope system across extremely steep terrain and multiple overhangs.

Once the subject had both feet safely on the ground, she was met by additional BVSAR volunteers, who provided first aid and ensured she was doing well. She was then able to walk the remainder of the trail under her own power.

The rope team packed up their equipment and hiked back up to the trail before making their way safely down the mountain on foot.

Many Hands Make a Rescue Possible

It is important to recognize that an operation like this takes many helping hands to make it effective, efficient, and safe. Not everyone involved is necessarily in the spotlight, but their contributions make a tremendous difference.

Just to mention a few of the helpers who often remain behind the scenes: two Terrace volunteers drove to Smithers specifically to ensure that none of the TSAR members had to make the long drive home while fatigued. Back at the SAR hall, additional TSAR members assisted with gear checks, cleanup, and washing vehicles—helping ensure that Search & Rescue remains ready to respond to the next assignment.

And while rescuers dangling from ropes may be the part of a rescue that is most memorable or impressive to some, there is another kind of heroism that deserves recognition: the BVSAR people who traded a warm, comfortable bed for damp, cold rocks and spend the night keeping a stranger company.
It can be incredibly difficult to be only metres away from someone and know that there is very little you can do to change their situation without compromising their safety—or your own. Sitting and waiting is not easy. But there can be tremendous power in simply being there and being available for someone.

The photographs below offer a glimpse into this rescue operation and the many people who worked together to bring it to a safe conclusion.

As always, if you encounter someone—or find yourself—in need while outdoors, please don’t hesitate to call for additional resources, such as (requesting bystanders to call) RCMP or ambulance services. Early notification and additional support can make a significant difference in an emergency.

Come say hi to Terrace Search & Rescue this Sunday at the boat launch by Furlong Bay campground. You can share some of your water safety stories with us, and/or learn about water and boat safety.

Thank you Lakelse Watershed Stewards Society for having us!
Hope to see you Sunday!

Join us this weekend at Furlong Bay Campground to learn all about boat and lake safety with Terrace Search and Rescue! 🚤☀️

🔷 Sunday Aug 23, 2026
🕑 12-3pm
📍 Furlong Bay Campground (Beach and Boat Launch Area)

We look forward to seeing you there! 😊

Thank you to BC Parks for supporting this exciting event!

Yesterday, Terrace Search and Rescue was at Blueberry Fest at Shames Mountain. It was amazing to see so many people exploring the outdoors. Thank you Shames Mountain and all the volunteers that helped create this awesome event.
And congratulations Emily for winning our draw. Emily won an emergency travel First Aid kit, one of the essential items to bring along when you explore the outdoors.

Are you curious to find out what other items to pack on your next hike? Then please check out the following site for lots of tips on how to experience the outdoors safely while hiking: https://www.adventuresmart.ca/hiking/

Recently, Terrace Search and Rescue (SAR) hosted a series of 3 day swiftwater rescue courses on rivers near Terrace.

Team members from Kitimat, Prince Rupert, and Terrace SAR completed both Intermediate and Advanced Swiftwater Rescue training. These courses prepare emergency responders to think clearly, respond quickly, and act effectively in swiftwater environments while prioritizing personal safety.

Throughout the training, participants practised defensive swimming techniques, self-rescue, companion rescue, technical rope system set-up, and a variety of realistic in-water rescue scenarios.

Cross-training with neighbouring SAR teams is an important part of regional emergency preparedness. It helps build strong working relationships, supports the exchange of best practices, strengthens interagency coordination, and prepares teams to respond effectively during multi-jurisdictional emergencies.

Check out the attached photos and compilation video for a glimpse into the training and the challenging scenarios our members worked through.

A big thank you to all participating members for their time, commitment, and dedication to ongoing training.

Stay safe out there, and always wear a life jacket when on or near the water!

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdHwPKdBjEg

A big thank you to PEAK4RATION (Gohike Outdoor Shop) for donating high-energy ration bars to Terrace Search and Rescue!

Thanks to an opportunity shared through the British Columbia Search and Rescue Association, we were fortunate to receive multiple cases to support our team during training and operations.

These bars are designed for emergency and outdoor use, offering reliable, compact energy with a long shelf life (up to 20 years!), and no preservatives—an excellent addition to SAR and emergency kits.

Donations like this directly support our members in the field, helping ensure we’re fueled and ready to respond in challenging conditions.

We truly appreciate the support—thank you for thinking of SAR teams across BC!