Member Moments: The London Search and Rescue Team

The London Search and Rescue Team is 100% volunteer run.  We have a search area which spans 150km around London, ON.  We are the only Ground Search and Rescue Team within 100km of London Ontario.  As a leader in the Search and Rescue Community, our instructors have certified searchers in Goderich, On (Huron Area Search and Rescue), Niagara Falls (Niagara Search and Rescue) and Guelph (Guelph Search and Rescue).

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Each searcher on our team is trained in search patterns, missing person behaviour, psychology of survival, orienteering, map and compass work, GPS and Radio usage, evidence handling, administering first aid and several other skillsets.  Several members have advanced training in man-tracking, rope rescue, medical first responder, and search management.  Our volunteers are on call 24/7/365.

The London Search and Rescue team, in addition to searching for missing persons, runs a preventative educational program called AdventureSmart.  This program was developed in British Columbia and we have 20 certified instructors who deliver free educational courses to the public with a focus on educating youth.  These programs promote educational safety regarding outdoor leisure.  The courses we teach are called Hug-a-tree and survive, Survive outside, Paddlesmart, Survive outside Snowmobiling, and Snow Safety.

To learn more about this program you can view it here.

What is a recent success that you would like to share with the community? 

Recently, a Mobile Command Post was donated to the London Search and Rescue team.  This holds all of our operational equipment for searchers and all communication equipment for the Command Post.  The Command Post was new-to-us and came with structural and electrical concerns.  We have embarked on several fundraising campaigns to fund the repair and rehabilitation of the Command Post so our equipment is protected from the elements.

All of our fundraising efforts for this project are promoted on our Facebook page.

Upcoming:

On October 23 2021 the London Search and Rescue team will be holding a bottle drive, with drop-off locations in several areas of the city.  We will gladly pick up large donations and can be contacted prior to the 23rd at fundraising@lsar.ca.  Exact locations will be announced on our Facebook page in coming days.

At the end of November 2021, the London Search and Rescue team will be holding an online auction.  We are currently accepting donations of new items to be auctioned off.  Last year we auctioned off beautiful handmade art and crafts, hockey memorabilia, jewelry, and household items.  If a business or person would like to donate to this auction please contact fundraising@lsar.ca to arrange a donation pickup.

Please share with us why you are a Pillar Nonprofit Network Member. What have you gained from being a Pillar Member?

We hope to learn from the experience of other non-profits in London to make our organization stronger and more resilient.  We strive to form connections with other non-profits to help further the goals of both organizations.

Contact Name: Alesha Walls

Contact Email: fundraising@lsar.ca

Member Moments highlights our members, sharing stories about what's going on in our community. Does your organization want to be included? Complete this form!

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