A look back at a busy 2018 for Kamloops Search and Rescue

Dec 31, 2018 | 2:51 PM

KAMLOOPS — 2018 was a busy and emotional year for Kamloops Search and Rescue. 

Throughout the year, Kamloops Search and Rescue was called out for 42 tasks compared to 49 last year. 

However, this year the volunteer searchers have had more operational periods than last year. 

2018 saw 72 multi-day searches compared to 67 in 2017. 

“That means our tasks have been longer,” said Jenn Stahn of Kamloops Search and Rescue. “So, we’ve had eight tasks that were multi-operational days, so that means we were out for at least two days on those tasks. Last year we only had three multi-operational day tasks.”

In the mix of KSAR calls, there were natural disasters, missing hikers, and a couple of water calls. 

It was also a significant year for Kamloops Search and Rescue in a couple of other ways as well. 

“We lost a long-term member with Clive Giolma and we also lost one of our dog team members, Taz, which is really unfortunate,” Stahn said. “We did have another canine member who got validated this year as well though, so Ranger is a full member of our team right now. I think aside from that the big news that we have coming out of 2018 for Kamloops Search and Rescue is that we’re really starting to put a push on a search for a permanent hall.”