Badlands Search and Rescue is giving an information session on March 11 to explain what they do and recruit volunteers. The first session will be at the Carseland Fire Hall at 10:00 a.m. and then there will be another session at the Strathmore Fire Hall from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Badlands Search and Rescue founder Scott Campbell explains they are not an overly busy team because a lot of the people that get lost in their region is people who sometimes have Alzheimer's, mental health issues and/or children that just have wandered off. Because of that, this information session is an opportunity to grow as a volunteer.
“It's an opportunity to grow and develop through skill sets and these are not just skills that you would only use in search and rescue, its stuff that you can take on everyday life with first aid survival and thinking ahead in emergency situations.”
There are currently about 15 volunteers that are called when Badlands Search and Rescue is needed and as Campbell explains, the goal in the next few years is to have a team of 35 volunteers.
“On Saturday the session is basically informative and hopefully not an information overload. Information is going to be provided to them and then they can start the sign-up process, fill out the application and they must meet certain criteria. Must be 18, resident of Alberta, pass a valuable criminal background check and things like that.”
Campbell explains they try to include as many people as they can and he believes there is a role for everybody.
“Search and rescue may not be for everyone, but you are not going to know until you come out and try and I would rather have people come out and try and see that it isn't always fun and games before they decide that they don’t want to do this.”
Campbell encourages people to come out and try it out and see if it will be a good fit, at the very least you will come and get some good experience and knowledge and meet some interesting people along the way.
“This is just another way for people to get out of their houses and do things, it is also a fantastic way to get out and learn more about yourself, work on your personal growth, development and to meet new people who are serving the community.”
For more information about Badlands Search and Rescue visit their website here.
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