Mosaic’s Pam Jorgenson, Land Use Forester, with Arrowsmith Search and Rescue at a rope and water rescue simulation at the south Englishman River bridge.
NANAIMO — Mosaic Forest Management is pleased to announce the signing of seven access agreements with Search and Rescue (“SAR”) organizations on Vancouver Island.
The agreements provide important access for training exercises, data-sharing opportunities, and overall support for these organizations dedicated to public safety. The agreements follow Mosaic’s landmark signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Arrowsmith Search and Rescue in 2021.
BC Search and Rescue organizations are run entirely by on-call volunteers. Year-round, they dedicate their time and expertise to the people of BC and those they rescue. Mosaic’s new access agreements are with the Alberni Valley Rescue Squad, Arrowsmith Search and Rescue, Campbell River Search and Rescue, Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue, Ladysmith Search and Rescue, Nanaimo Search and Rescue, and Westcoast Inland Search and Rescue. Other organizations may be added to the list.
“We’re very proud to support the dedicated volunteers of these Search and Rescue organizations,” said Domenico Iannidinardo, Mosaic’s Senior Vice President, Forest & Climate and Chief Forester. “They play a critical role in public safety, providing a vital lifeline to those who are lost or injured in the Vancouver Island wilderness.”
Provincially, Search and Rescue calls are trending upward. “People are often reported missing simply because they didn’t let someone know where they were going or when they planned to return,” said Arrowsmith Search and Rescue President Nick Rivers. “Our access agreement with Mosaic helps facilitate both live rescues and practice scenarios, ultimately bringing down the number of rescue calls.”
Mosaic and Vancouver Island SAR organizations remind recreationalists to prioritize trip safety when visiting local forests. Whether summer or winter, trip planning, training, and taking the essentials are all part of being AdventureSmart.
For more information about AdventureSmart, visit AdventureSmart.ca.
