Information for Applicants to the
Surrey SAR Team

Application Procedure

Applications are received throughout the year with major reviews carried out in the spring and fall. Short-listed candidates are interviewed to confirm their qualifications and general suitability as Team members. The Team's normal complement of active members is 30 to 45. Recruitment of new personnel will generally reflect the need to maintain an adequate strength to fulfill the Team's responsibilities.
New Members are brought on to the Team as Members-In-Training (MIT) for a probationary period. During this period MITs may be called to assist with Team operations.

Applicant Requirements and Skills

• SAR ONLY recruits those 19 years and over.
• Prospective members require a valid Standard St. John First Aid certificate (or higher), basic outdoor skills (incl. back country navigation using map, compass, and altimeter), and the ability to travel safety anywhere in the Fraser Valley in all seasons.
• You must be physically fit, have good familiarity with the local parks and their trails, have adequate personal equipment that will allow you to operate safely and effectively in all types of weather for at least a 24 hour period.
• Knowledge of and experience in the local parks and mountains are critical membership requirements as the greatest percentage of the Team's operations are in these areas. Over the years, local experienced backpackers, climbers, skiers, and snowshoers have become the backbone of the Team.
• You must have a home and employment situation that will allow full participation in training, search and rescue operations, and other activities of the Team.
• Over and above these various skills and requirements, a desire and commitment to do this type of community service is essential.

Both the "Information for Applicants to the Surrey Search and Rescue Team" and the "Surrey Search and Rescue Application Form" may be downloaded using Acrobat Reader. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, a free download for this program may be obtained at: Adobe Acrobat Reader