As we reflect on 2025, Saskatoon Search and Rescue (SSAR) is proud to mark a year defined by upgrades and expansion. With the completion of our Command Post upgrades early in the year and the launch of a new and improved logistics trailer by year end, we’ve taken major steps toward strengthening our operational capacity. This will continue in 2026 as we expand the number of Wilderness First Responders we have and welcome a group of new members. Our volunteers continued to train, grow, and innovate—ensuring we’re ready for whatever challenges arise. This report showcases the improvements, collaborations, and community support that made this year exceptional, and it sets the stage for even more progress ahead.
ACTIVATIONS
In 2025, SSAR members responded to 22 missing person activations, one evidence search, and assisted in two fire season related requests for service. Nine searches were for Project Lifesaver clients, all of whom were located quickly and returned safely to their families.
In addition to the Saskatoon Police Service and Saskatchewan RCMP, we had two activations from Prince Albert Police Service and one from RCMP in Crowsnest Pass, AB.
Five of our members, along with members from other Search and Rescue Saskatchewan Association of Volunteers (SARSAV) teams, were deployed to Crowsnest Pass, AB, to assist in the search for a missing six-year-old boy. This was our first out-of-province activation and the largest operation we have ever supported. Joining more than 400 volunteers from 50 SAR teams across Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan, our members integrated seamlessly into the effort and were recognized for their strong organizational and operational capabilities.
“It was incredible to be part of such a coordinated response. We felt ready, valued, and proud to contribute.” Brian Fehr, SSAR member
Working alongside other SARSAV teams, we travelled to the community of Candle Lake to assist with FireSmart prevention efforts. We also supported the City of Saskatoon and the Canadian Red Cross as they transformed the Cosmo Civic Centre into a temporary refuge site for residents evacuating due to wildfires in central and northern Saskatchewan.
We’re grateful for the opportunity to respond to these calls and to support communities across our province.
EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES
Ongoing growth in our equipment inventory and operational capabilities in recent years meant that our previous logistics trailer no longer met the needs of the team. In 2025, with support from sponsors listed later in this report, we acquired a larger logistics trailer that provides improved workspace, safer work areas, and greater capacity to support both equipment and personnel during operations.
Key features of the new trailer include:
- A power system capable of supporting extended communications;
- Internal and external work lighting;
- Flashing amber safety lighting;
- Starlink internet for improved communications and real-time mapping;
- A backup generator;
- A mounted mast for quicker, safer radio antenna deployment;
- Dedicated and secure spaces for high-value equipment; and
- More space for transporting searcher gear, increasing room for personnel in the truck.
These enhancements significantly strengthen our mobile command capabilities and enable more effective responses across Saskatchewan.
We extend our sincere thanks to the members who dedicated many hours to planning, designing, and completing this upgrade—their expertise and commitment made this project possible. Project leadership included Chuck Ingerman (Project Manager), Sean Taylor and Kate Badrock (supplier liaison), and Shelley Ballard-McKinlay (grant writer). The design and build team, led by John Mollison, included Brian Fehr, Shannon Simonson, Roger DeWeerd, Darren Badrock, Mike Lucas, Garth Nelson and Andrew Forsberg.
Our Command Post Upgrade project was completed earlier in the year, enhancing the technology we rely on during emergency responses. Key improvements included replacing aging laptops to ensure reliable communication and incident management, as well as adding a multi-display monitor to support real-time data sharing such as GPS tracking, mapping, and weather information.
These upgrades improve coordination and operational efficiency, strengthening our ability to support the community during critical incidents.
A new vacuum mattress and splints improves our ability to safely immobilize and secure injured patients in the field, increasing comfort and patient care during evacuation and transport.
Further enhancements included the replacement of several radio microphones from Kenwood Canada to maintain dependable field communications, and the addition of two new laptops used for AdventureSmart presentations and for managing our Project Lifesaver program.
TRAINING HIGHLIGHTS
"Train like it's real so the real feels like training."
We say “Train like it’s real” all the time in SAR, but what does that mean? When our Wilderness First Responders re-certified their BLS level CPR, they didn’t do it in a typical classroom. Fully outside, in amongst the rose bushes and mosquitos (and a bit of poison ivy!), just as a real scenario might be. From teams and gear that don’t magically appear in an instant, to AEDs that don’t always shock, this team made sure to train like it was real!
"I am so very proud of this team and their commitment to training. Their willingness to dive in and invest time/energy/realism is beyond anything I’ve seen!" Rebecca Mollison, SSAR member and Back40 Wilderness Training
During a winter overnight training exercise, SSAR members navigated an approximately 10 km route while carrying full 24-hour packs, simulating the conditions of an extended search. Teams established an overnight camp as they would when supporting or sheltering a subject in the field. With temperatures near –25°C and a significant wind chill, the exercise provided a challenging and realistic test of winter navigation, endurance, and cold-weather systems.
We held a Team Leader training course in the spring focused on developing new leaders within the team. On a day when several friends and family were able to join us to play the role of convergent volunteers, members in the course were given the opportunity to lead search task groups during a realistic field exercise, gaining hands-on experience in planning, communication, and decision-making.
The scenario involved two missing people in Saskatoon’s Northeast Swale and allowed teams to practice a range of search tactics, including hasty searches, targeted sweep searches, and methodical line searches. New Team Leaders demonstrated their understanding of these techniques by directing volunteers and experienced members through each search type. The convergent volunteers added realism and value to the training. Many of the new Team Leaders have been with SSAR for nearly three years and are now sharing their knowledge and experience by stepping into leadership roles.
We consistently integrate the technologies we rely on operationally into our training, both in command roles and in the field. Tools such as CalTopo are now a regular part of our training program, ensuring members are proficient in real-world applications. This ongoing focus has enabled SSAR members to effectively support other teams as well as our agencies having jurisdiction during multi-agency searches and to deploy mission-ready on large-scale operations, such as the Crowsnest Pass search, where we were able to seamlessly assume assigned tasks.
In April, our Wilderness First Responders were again fortunate to be able to participate in a simulation-based medical training session at the University of Saskatchewan’s Clinical Learning Resource Centre (CLRC). The session was developed and led by Roger DeWeerd, SSAR member and a Simulation Operations Specialist in the CLRC, with support from the College of Medicine faculty and simulation staff.
Using advanced manikins and a standardized patient, members worked through realistic medical scenarios that included treating conditions such as asthma, anaphylaxis, severe bleeding, head injury, diabetic emergencies, and heat-related illness. The training emphasized decision-making, communication under pressure, evacuation planning, and team coordination, allowing members to safely practice complex situations and strengthen their readiness to respond during real-world incidents.
Several SSAR members participated in a Humanitarian Workforce (HWF) roundtable meeting hosted by Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC), contributing to discussions on national disaster response and volunteer deployment. Sean Taylor continued advanced training with the national HWF Peer Mental Health Support team, which provides support to responders involved in disaster and emergent situations. In addition, Daryll Sewell worked with SARSAV to develop a budget for Disaster Assistance Response Training (DART) materials across Saskatchewan, forming the basis of a successful funding application to the SARVAC under the HWF initiative, funded by Public Safety Canada. He subsequently led the process to acquire an enclosed trailer for SARSAV to transport and store DART training equipment.
Kate Dean and SAR K9 Jenga maintained their live find, wilderness and disaster certifications. Jenga continues to love her job and happily works for hours on end to locate the missing subject.
Kate is also Chair of the SARSAV K9 Committee and continues to represent our province on the SARVAC Canine Standards Committee for the development of core competencies.
Erika Quiring and SAR K9 Hawk are now a certified human remains detection team, a goal they have worked toward for several years with the Search and Rescue Dog Association of Alberta (SARDAA). They also participate in the SARSAV K9 working group and committee. Their goals for 2026 include pursuing shoreline search and water search certifications.
“Hurry up, human!” Hawk, SAR K9
In October, SSAR members travelled across the country! Several attended the Canadian Association of Wilderness Medicine conference, held in Canmore, AB, with participation both in person and online. The conference included workshops and lectures on topics including hypothermia and exposure sickness, musculoskeletal injury, tourniquets, leadership, communication, and more.
"This training helped us build both medical and leadership skills while keeping current with best practices, and it was invaluable to learn alongside other SAR teams from Alberta and BC, and military providers.” Jon Dean, SSAR member
SARscene 2025, Canada’s national search and rescue conference, was held in Ottawa, ON, and was attended by several SARSAV members from teams across Saskatchewan. The conference featured presentations and workshops on topics such as technology, case studies, team leadership and management, lost person behavior, Humanitarian Workforce, and interagency collaboration.
"Attending my first SARscene conference was a great opportunity to compare notes and network with colleagues from across the country to ensure we are observing best practices as a team." Andrew Forsberg, SSAR member
SSAR regularly trains alongside other SARSAV teams, benefiting from a range of province-wide opportunities that strengthen both operational and organizational capacity. This year, these included governance training, reflections on diversity and cultural competency development, Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) training, advanced Incident Command System (ICS) courses, and Search Manager forums which complement our own internal Search Manager training days.
We appreciate the opportunities SARSAV provides to participate in these shared training initiatives.
PROJECT LIFESAVER SASKATOON
Since 2018, SSAR has operated the Project Lifesaver program in Saskatoon, providing a rapid response solution for individuals with cognitive disorders who may wander and be at risk. Program participants wear a wrist or ankle band that transmits a unique radio-frequency signal. When a participant goes missing, SSAR members trained as Electronic Search Specialists use a receiver to track the signal, enabling a fast and efficient search to safely locate the individual.
By the end of 2025, Project Lifesaver Saskatoon was supporting 46 active clients. The majority of participants have been diagnosed with autism (29), while others include individuals with Down Syndrome (5), dementia or Alzheimer’s (6), brain injuries (3), and other cognitive impairments (3).
Many referrals to the program come through our community partners, including the Saskatoon Police Service, Autism Services, the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan, social workers, educators, the Open Door Society, and the Global Gathering Place, highlighting the strong network that supports the safety and well-being of vulnerable members of our community.
For more information: www.projectlifesaversaskatoon.org
PUBLIC EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY EVENTS
SSAR’s Preventative Search and Rescue (PSAR) team had another record-setting year, delivering 21 AdventureSmart presentations to more than 780 youth and group leaders. Hug-A-Tree and Survive and Survive Outside remained the most requested programs. The team also expanded its reach beyond Saskatoon, delivering several presentations in Prince Albert, SK, and other communities.
Do you know the Three Ts? Before heading outdoors, AdventureSmart recommends preparing a Trip Plan - tell someone where you are going, who you are going with, and when you expect to return. Ensuring you have the right Training for your adventure, such as navigation skills, and carrying The Essentials can greatly reduce the risk of getting lost and helps searchers respond more effectively if assistance is needed.
To request a Hug-a-Tree and Survive, Survive Outside, or other AdventureSmart presentation, go to www.adventuresmart.ca
Preventative SAR education is also done with informative displays such as our booth at the Banff Mountain Film Festival tour, the Saskatoon Police Community Barbecue, and the Truth and Reconciliation Orange Shirt Day at Wanuskewin.
SSAR members also participated in initiatives that support the broader community.
We all know how important blood donations are and the life-saving impact they can have. Through our Partners for Life team with Canadian Blood Services, nine donors (six SSAR members and three family members) gave blood to help ensure hospitals have the supply they need. For two members it was their first donation, while another reached their 46th, highlighting the range of commitment within our team to this essential community effort.
We also had 11 members take part in the 2000 Push-Up Challenge, raising money for the Canadian Mental Health Association. Mental health is such a vital part of emergency response, and events like this not only help raise awareness but also give the team a fun way to build skills and camaraderie together.
In March, three SSAR members had the opportunity to attend the British Columbia Search and Rescue memorial ceremony in Victoria, BC, held to honor SAR volunteers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The event serves as a solemn reminder of the risks volunteers face while responding to challenging and often unpredictable conditions.
As always, SSAR was well represented at the 2025 Remembrance Day Ceremony, and we were pleased to welcome a member from Battlefords SAR to join us.
"To those who gave everything, and to those who carry the weight of their sacrifice, we honor you. We remember."
SSAR helped Santa and Mrs. Claus ensure a safe and smooth experience for participants and spectators at the annual Santa Claus Parade. Our team provided on-site communication support, coordinating with event organizers and volunteers to manage crowd movement and respond quickly to any safety concerns.
SPONSORS, DONORS, SUPPORTERS
Our vision continues to be building a sustainable, volunteer-driven charitable organization with stable funding and an engaged, committed membership.
In addition to our ongoing focus on activations, training, administration, and community outreach, this vision is made possible by the generous support of businesses, organizations, and individuals who believe in our mission.
Thank you to everyone who supported Saskatoon Search and Rescue in 2025. Your contributions allow us to keep serving our community safely, effectively, and with dedication.
The AdventureSmart colouring book project, started in 2024 in partnership with SARSAV, was completed this year with funding support from Dakota Dunes Community Development Corporation, the RBC Communities Together Fund, Access Communications Children’s Fund, and SSAR.
Over 9,500 copies of Hug-A-Tree and Survive were printed, including special editions translated into Dené, Michif, Saulteaux, Cree (Y and TH dialects), and French, helping us share outdoor safety messages more inclusively across the province during AdventureSmart presentations.
A special thank you to the young members of the Prairie Valley Scout Group, who helped apply sponsor acknowledgement stickers to each book—your support made this project possible!
Our major fundraising focus this year supported the purchase of our new logistics trailer, and we are grateful to the organizations that contributed to making this project possible, including Dakota Dunes Community Development Corporation, SaskTel Tel-Care, RBC Communities Together Fund, Centennial Plumbing 12-in-12 campaign, BrightSource, and GT Performance.
In addition to providing a discount on the trailer purchase, GT Performance goes above and beyond by handling the annual maintenance on all our trailers, ensuring we are road-ready for every activation.
A generous donation from the Union of Safety and Justice Employees (USJE) through their Community Investment Initiative has helped make our Project Lifesaver program accessible to even more people. Their contribution funded six additional transmitter bracelets along with all necessary supplies, allowing us to welcome more clients into the program. Donations like this ensure that Project Lifesaver remains free of charge, so financial barriers do not prevent families from accessing this vital support.
We are grateful to community event organizers for giving us the chance to put our first aid, communication, and organizational skills to work while supporting their events. The honorariums we receive help sustain our annual fundraising efforts, and we appreciate the opportunity to contribute. In 2025, our team supported events including the Saskatchewan Marathon, Saskatoon Triathlon Club Duathlon, Run Wild, Fireworks Festivals, and Canada Day celebrations.
The Saskatoon Police Service’s annual honorarium supports essential training and gear, while the Saskatoon Police Association’s donation covers a significant portion of the batteries and bands required for the Project Lifesaver program.
Yardi Canada’s generous support continues to help us meet critical training and equipment needs.
We are also grateful to the City of Saskatoon for providing office and storage space, as well as locations to house our truck and trailers, and to the Saskatoon Fire Department for graciously sharing their facilities with us.
We recognize the vital role employers play in supporting our members, whether by allowing time off for activations, accommodating training schedules, or matching employee donations, as Nutrien has done. Their support allows volunteers to fully participate in both operations and training while managing their professional commitments.
Also, consider supporting SSAR when you visit SARCAN by by entering the code "SSAR" at any "Drop & Go" location - just like Marjorie.
"When I take my bottles and cans to SARCAN, I always donate what I would have got paid to SSAR. It isn't much but every little bit helps." Marjorie Ingerman, Loyal SSAR Supporter
The Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival at the Broadway Theatre remains our major fundraising event of the year and continues to rely on the generosity of our sponsors, many of whom have supported us consistently since we began hosting the festival in 2018. Their ongoing contributions make it possible for us to bring this inspiring event to the community each year.
We are deeply grateful for the support of Grace Beyer with 1st Class Realty, who generously served as a matching sponsor for the festival every year. Sadly, Grace passed away this year, and her dedication, generosity, and warm spirit will be sincerely missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
SAVE THE DATE of the next VIMFF on April 27, 2026 at 7 pm at the Broadway Theatre.
Finally, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the incredible individuals who support SSAR. Whether you contribute to Project Lifesaver, make a matching donation at our Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival (VIMFF) showing, or give simply because you believe in our mission, your generosity makes a real difference.
We also want to acknowledge our own members, who not only volunteer their time and skills but often contribute financially to help keep the team operational. Your commitment and dedication are the backbone of SSAR, and we couldn’t do this work without you.
BEYOND THE FIELD
SSAR’s mission and vision extend well beyond training and field operations. In addition to responding to activations and participating in training, our members dedicate countless volunteer hours to administration, logistics, equipment maintenance, provincial and chapter meetings, AdventureSmart programs, fundraising, and community events.
As part of our strategic planning, SSAR Board members continued work on documenting roles and responsibilities to support effective succession planning and long-term sustainability. The Operations Committee, which serves as an advisory body to the SSAR Board of Directors, meets three to four times each year to review operational performance during missing person searches and other non-search responses. Through these reviews, the committee provides recommendations on resource allocation, training needs, and updates to activation and field procedures, helping to strengthen organizational readiness and effectiveness.
Our support members, whose behind-the-scenes contributions in non-search and administrative roles, are essential to keeping our organization running smoothly.
Their efforts include assisting with Project Lifesaver client intake and battery changes, maintaining and verifying volunteer hour logs, completing administrative follow-up after search activations, writing grant applications, and organizing the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival (our major fundraising event of the year).
Their dedication, along with many other tasks they take on throughout the year, plays a critical role in the success and sustainability of SSAR.
Our social media presence continues to grow as we showcase our training and activations, highlight our sponsors and supporters, and share valuable education on missing persons, emergency preparedness, and outdoor safety.
SSAR also had opportunities to share our work through local and national media. Our Communications Director, Katie Willie, participated in the SARCan Podcast hosted by Huron & Area Search & Rescue, discussing Project Lifesaver and broader SAR initiatives. In addition, Sean Taylor, our Fundraising Director appeared on 650 CKOM’s The Evan Bray Show, highlighting SSAR’s operational role, prevention programs, and community engagement. We appreciate these opportunities to raise awareness and share information about search and rescue services with a wider audience.
Thank you to all members who took on formal roles within the organization.
- President – Carla Eager
- Vice President – Kate Badrock
- Treasurer – Carrie Hildebrand
- Secretary – Mark Wells
- Training Director – Shannon Simonson
- Membership Director – Andrew Forsberg
- Communications Director – Katie Willie
- Logistics Director – Chuck Ingerman
- Fundraising Director – Sean Taylor
- Preventative SAR Director – Brian Fehr
- Project Lifesaver Director – Erin Dueck
- Director at Large - Roger deWeerd
Thank you to our members who so generously provided photographs for this Year in Review. The vast majority were taken by Sean Taylor, with contributions from Kate Dean, Andrew Forsberg, Daryll Sewell, Shannon Simonson, Roger deWeerd, Katie Willie, Kate Badrock, Louis Bossaer, Tony Weber and Shelley Ballard-McKinlay.
THANK YOU!
Saskatoon Search and Rescue’s accomplishments in 2025 would not have been possible without the ongoing support of our community, partner agencies, and, most importantly, the dedication of our members and their families.
Donations to support Saskatoon Search and Rescue are gratefully accepted through Canada Helps, PayPal Giving Fund, or by e-transfer to saskatoonsearchandrescue@gmail.com.