About Us 

SARVAC History

Established in 1996, the Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC) is a federally incorporated registered Canadian Charity that provides a national voice for ground search and rescue volunteers in Canada to address issues of common concern, to develop consistency and promote standardization or portability of programs and volunteers and deliver initiatives that benefit and support all ground search and rescue volunteers in Canada as well as the general public.

SARVAC represents the thirteen provincial and territorial volunteer Ground Search and Rescue Associations in Canada.  The Board of Directors is comprised of volunteer representatives from each of the provinces and territories.  Ultimately, SARVAC represents the interests of 12,000 Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) volunteers throughout Canada who provide search and rescue services on land and inland waters. 

Guiding Principles

• Cooperation and collaboration with Provinces and Territories while respecting roles & responsibilities of jurisdictions

• Respecting the cultural diversity of search and rescue providers and users
• Innovation – Creating value from new ideas coming forward
• Responsive - we strive to be nimble to respond to the environment in a timely way
• Credibility

Establish education programs aimed at improving the standards of performance for ground search and rescue. 

• Promote, develop, and coordinate educational programs to better equip the general public to cope, both mentally and physically, with the natural environment and with problems from natural and man-made disasters and emergency situations. 
• Conduct meetings and symposia in order to provide a public forum for promoting ground search and rescue capabilities in Canada. 
• Represent public opinion on ground search and rescue issues through liaison with Federal, Provincial/Territorial and Local agencies and Members of Parliament. Maintain liaison with search and rescue equipment manufacturers in order to promote the development and refinement of emergency response equipment. 
• Promote the formation of local search and rescue organizations by providing support in the form of guidance and material on organizing and developing local units, educational materials, and consulting services. 
• Promote standardization of search and rescue procedures and communications by preparing and distributing sample plans, programs and procedures. 
• Promote knowledge of search and rescue issues and programs and promote communication between organizations by the publication of newsletters, journals, and other publications. 
• Upon request of Federal, Provincial/Territorial, or Local agencies or Members of Parliament, provide consultation and expert testimony on emergency response related subjects.

About Us 

SARVAC History

Established in 1996, the Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC) is a federally incorporated registered Canadian Charity that provides a national voice for ground search and rescue volunteers in Canada to address issues of common concern, to develop consistency and promote standardization or portability of programs and volunteers and deliver initiatives that benefit and support all ground search and rescue volunteers in Canada as well as the general public.

SARVAC represents the thirteen provincial and territorial volunteer Ground Search and Rescue Associations in Canada.  The Board of Directors is comprised of volunteer representatives from each of the provinces and territories.  Ultimately, SARVAC represents the interests of 12,000 Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) volunteers throughout Canada who provide search and rescue services on land and inland waters. 

Guiding Principles

• Cooperation and collaboration with Provinces and Territories while respecting roles & responsibilities of jurisdictions

• Respecting the cultural diversity of search and rescue providers and users
• Innovation – Creating value from new ideas coming forward
• Responsive - we strive to be nimble to respond to the environment in a timely way
• Credibility

Establish education programs aimed at improving the standards of performance for ground search and rescue. 

• Promote, develop, and coordinate educational programs to better equip the general public to cope, both mentally and physically, with the natural environment and with problems from natural and man-made disasters and emergency situations. 
• Conduct meetings and symposia in order to provide a public forum for promoting ground search and rescue capabilities in Canada. 
• Represent public opinion on ground search and rescue issues through liaison with Federal, Provincial/Territorial and Local agencies and Members of Parliament. Maintain liaison with search and rescue equipment manufacturers in order to promote the development and refinement of emergency response equipment. 
• Promote the formation of local search and rescue organizations by providing support in the form of guidance and material on organizing and developing local units, educational materials, and consulting services. 
• Promote standardization of search and rescue procedures and communications by preparing and distributing sample plans, programs and procedures. 
• Promote knowledge of search and rescue issues and programs and promote communication between organizations by the publication of newsletters, journals, and other publications. 
• Upon request of Federal, Provincial/Territorial, or Local agencies or Members of Parliament, provide consultation and expert testimony on emergency response related subjects.