Cochrane Search & Rescue Association (CSAR) focuses on the overall objective that we have deployable resources ready any minute of any day to respond to the needs of our community, our tasking agencies and our immediate “CSAR Family”.
Our Goals and Objectives
CSAR’s overall goal is to continually strive to improve our search and rescue capabilities to deliver a valuable service to our community and surrounding area. We will leverage member knowledge, equipment and technology to increase our search effectiveness.
Our Partners
We continually strive to build relationships within our community and work closely with other local search and rescue organizations and the various Government organizations that can, and frequently have, called us to respond to an emergency or search.
Local SAR Partners
Presently we are closely associated with Calgary Search and Rescue, Foothills Search and Rescue and Olds Search and Rescue.
It is our intent to develop these existing relationships as well as encourage a mutual growth and connection spanning the South West of the Rocky Mountains, foothills and prairie lands.
Tasking Agencies
CSAR have a relationship with and deploy in the following RCMP Detachment areas:
Cochrane RCMP
Canmore RCMP
Banff RCMP
Kananaskis RCMP (North)
In addition we also provide response services to:
Kananaskis Public Safety (KPS)
Parks Public Safety
Cochrane Fire
RCMP Major Crimes
Our Resources
Over the last few years, CSAR has seen an increase in the level of professionalism and specialization in certain areas. Our “bread and butter” are our Ground Search teams yet CSAR boasts additional resources in the form of an ATV Section and Search Manager Team.
Ground Search
Perhaps the most important aspect of any SAR Organization, Ground SAR teams form the backbone of any missing person, evidence or other incident. From groups of three (3) to seven (7) our Ground SAR Teams perform a variety of different search procedures. Each team is lead by a Team Leader who, in turn, reports directly to the Search Manager.
ATV Section
Presently, our ATV section compromises of two CSAR ATVs, two Member ATVs, an ATV Trailer and truck. Again, our aim is to ensure our ATV Operators practice regularly to ensure that all aspects of ATV Searching are practiced time and again – ready to be deployed at a moments notice.
Man-Tracking Section
Re-formed in 2017, several experienced Cochrane SAR man-trackers have begun to develop a Man-Tracking Section to allow our members to diversify their skill set in the field and provide additional supports on deployments from individuals who can identify tracks and prints left by a missing person.
Search Manager Team
Using the Incident Command System (ICS) and Lost Person Behaviour (LPB) our Search Managers receive the highest level of training, undergo regular Search Manager Training sessions and maintain our mobile command centre.
Mountain Bike Section
New to Cochrane SAR, more information to follow soon.
CSAR Family
As with all people, our own Membership may require help at times from their teammates. Cochrane Search & Rescue prides itself on the fact that in addition to serving our community and surrounding area – any one of our Members can reach out for help and it will be given, without question and with dignity.