By Duane Grandbois

SAR Volunteers Recognition Coming From Ottawa

Oct 2, 2017 | 7:37 AM

Local Search and Rescue workers are gratified at the recognition they and others across the country are now getting from the federal government.

The government has endorsed a motion put forward by North Okanagan-Shuswap MP Mel Arnold for a national aware medal for SAR volunteers.

Vernon Search and Rescue Manager Leigh Pearson would be the first to tell you that when he and his crew don their gear there’s never any thought of getting an award, however…

“It is really nice to know that people recognize what we do.”

Pearson says it’s appreciated and is a supplement to what some members of the public offer them.

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“For example, we were called out onto Kal Lake Thursday for a young lady that had an accident cliff diving and when we were leaving the boat launch on our way back to the hall after the task was complete one of our members was flagged down by a fellow walking his dog along Kalavista Drive. So he stopped and said, nothing important I just want to thank you guys for all that you do. I don’t think people realize how much that means to us when people do stuff like that. It’s really gratifying, so it’s nice to know we are appreciated.”

The establishment of the medal is expected this fall under the pan-Canadian Emergency Management Exemplary Service Award Initiative

Mel Arnold hopes to get the details on how the award will be distributed and hopes to present a bill to the House of Commons as soon as he can.

by Duane Grandbois