B.C. search and rescue teams in talks for helicopter approval autonomy
Global News
The Ministry of Emergency Management approves, or rejects, requests from search and rescue teams when a helicopter is required for a rescue and 'it's not serving anybody at all.'
Search and rescue teams across B.C. have been warning about delays in acquiring helicopters for searches.
But now they say talks are underway with the province to streamline the process.
The Ministry of Emergency Management approves the requests from search and rescue teams when a helicopter is required for a rescue.
However, teams in Fernie and Squamish say it’s frustrating when their requests for choppers are denied, forcing them to find alternate methods.
Both sides say they are now working together to find the best solution.
“Our autonomy to determine what resource we need and launch it is being withheld by a gatekeeper,” said Simon Piney with Fernie Search and Rescue.
“It’s almost impossible to balance our needs and our requirements with this gatekeeper role and it’s not serving anybody at all.”
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