Things that come and go

Over the years I have done many thing that I loved to do. But one of the best things I have ever done was join a Search and Rescue (SAR) Team. What is better than Helping people in need?In the year 2000 I walked into a small building and met 8 other people who I would go through training with. Following the six months of training I became a member of SAR and never looked back. I have been to a number of places and been involved in a number of events that have helped shape who I am today.

I will never forget my first search, it was for a little girl named Heather Thomas. This was a large event in the lower mainland that brought out over 1000 untrained people as well as SAR teams from all over Canada and the Western United States. Being a SAR person I was made a team leader and put in charge of 20 untrained people. Now you have to remember that I was 19 years old and had no experience at all, and boy was I nervous. But at the end of the day I got the job done and no one was hurt or lost. This search lasted 3 days, but unfortunately Heather was found deceased in Maple Ridge.

In 2003 Kelowna and the surrounding area were at risk of been burned down due to a large forest fire. Once again they needed the assistance of SAR, and who was there to answer the call? You got it, me. So myself and 3 others picked up a few supplies and hit the road. We spent the next three days getting people out of their homes and ensuring people did not return until it was safe to do so. Thanks to the forest service, the town was saved and we got to come home.

During my time with SAR I got to do a lot of things that others never got to do. I became a Swift Water Rescue Tech, a boat operator and a team leader. I made life-long friends and have so many stories that I will hold onto forever.

So here I am after ten years of SAR and thinking about my future. I have moved on but at the same time I have not moved on. I guess I am finding it hard to close this door in my life because it means so much to me.