WHO ARE WE?
York Sunbury Search & Rescue (YSSR) is a ground search and rescue (SAR) team within the New Brunswick Ground Search and Rescue Association Inc. YSSR is comprised strictly of trained volunteers, who take pride in serving York, Sunbury, Queens and Northumberland counties.
YSSR was founded in 1983 to assist the local policing authorities in search and rescue activities. The group commenced operations with minimal equipment and a few members trained in search and rescue techniques. Over the years YSSR has been involved in numerous SAR operations ranging from finding lost children, individuals, Alzheimer patients and downed aircraft, to searching for evidence at major crime scenes. We also provide awareness programs to young children and adults about survival and safety. As of 2013, we are a well-equipped team with over 150 members.
WHY HAVING SEARCH & RESCUE-THEMED GEOCACHES?
Many of our members are geocachers themselves! We train with compasses, maps and different equipment, but also with GPS devices. Just like geocaching, using GPS devices allows us to accurately located specific waypoints and mark locations of importance during searches. Also, we are able to use the track functions of the GPS to make sure that all the areas we want to search in are covered. Using GPS devices is an essential part of the SAR volunteer skillset!
WHY SEARCH TACTICS 101?
YSSR volunteers spend countless hours in training in many aspects of search and rescue, from lost person behaviour, first aid to GPS and map & compass. Search Tactics is one of many important elements of training: it allows our volunteers to practice the many ways to deploy and maximize our chances to quickly and safely find a lost victim, taking into account the expected state of the victim, the field conditions (weather, time of day, terrain, etc.), the probable location of the victim and the number of available searchers.
WHY THIS AREA?
This area of the UNB Woodlot is often used for training for many reasons. First, it is conveniently located in the greater Fredericton area. Also, the terrain is a good example of what our searchers will encounter in actual searches: woods, small brooks, wet lands, different elevations, dead falls, etc. Finally, the many trails going through the woodlot facilitate supervision of training and allows for quick and safe deployment and return to base.
So don’t be surprised if you see small teams of people dressed in flashy orange clothing, with radios, compasses and maps… and no matter if it’s in the middle of the day, at night or during the cold season!
Congrats to Geodimeter for the FTF!
To know more about us: http://www.yssr.ca/
(Authorized by York Sunbury Search & Rescue, 2013)