The Alternative Support Model is a BC Search and Rescue Association led initiative to provide stable, long term funding and support for Ground Search and Rescue in the Province of British Columbia. For many years our member groups have told us of the difficulties they have applying for grants and fundraising, and the huge amount of time and resources these tasks take. This project has involved consultation and input from every one of the 79 Search and Rescue groups in BC, and the current proposal is the result of this work.
Background
In October 2013 the BC Search and Rescue Association presented the Minister of Justice with a Discussion Paper outlining an ‘Alternative Funding Model for Search and Rescue in B.C.’ which provides for adequate and substantial funding as well as reducing the administrative workload on SAR volunteers throughout the Province.
Meetings with Emergency Management BC and other agencies assisted in further defining the model, which is now referred to as the ‘Alternative Support Model’ given the priority of reducing fund raising and administrative demands on volunteers in addition to ensuring adequate and substantial funding. The Discussion Paper is being revised as a Proposal for consideration and support by SAR Groups prior to submitting to other levels within the Provincial Government.
The the current revision of the support model is the result of many years of consultation with SAR groups throughout BC, including during the Levelling the Playing Field NIF grant consultations. Much of the previous work extends back a decade or more. The current final proposal is the results of two years of effort on behalf of the BCSARA board.
Current Stage
Currently, the proposal has been finalized, and accepted for review by the BC government and BCSARA is awaiting their feedback.
Alternative Support Model Proposal
December 2015
Questions and Answers
Narrated Presentation
History
- 2011 / 2013: SAR New Initiatives Funds the “Levelling the Playing Field” workshops, gathering feedback from all SAR groups in BC
- November 2012: Coroner’s inquest into the death of a SAR volunteer in BC results in the recommendation ‘That EMBC review and evaluate funding models to better support SAR operations, training, and equipment similar to volunteer fire departments funding’
- September 2013: BCSARA Submits Alternative Funding Model Paper to BC Government
- February 2014: Alternate Funding Model Update
- September 2014: Update on SAR Alternate Funding Model
- July 2015: Update on the Alternative Support Model for Search and Rescue in B.C.
- September 2015: Alternate Support Model Update for SAR Members
- September 2015: Press release on the progress of the Support Model project
- December 2015: Proposal accepted for internal review
Updates
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Provincial Funding Announcement
2019-03-23 -
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$5 Million Funding Announcement for GSAR
2017-03-27 -
Update on Announced Funding for SAR in BC
2016-11-16 -
BCSARA Funding Model Announcement
2016-04-08 -
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The SAR Support Model
2015-09-29 -