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What's Happening
At SSAR
We've had so much going on this past month! Since your newsletter editor will never remember everyone who was involved in which events . . . A BIG THANK YOU to all those who took the time to plan, organize and/or attend the following:
- PSAR presentations;
- Training evening and field day at Beaver Creek, followed by barbecue;
- Meewasin Valley trail cleanup (members, family and friends!);
- Saskatoon Police Service 1/2 Marathon water station;
- Search activations and standby;
- Fundraising cheque presentations;
- EMO course;
- Meetings with our agencies of jurisdiction and other local businesses; and
- A very long board of directors meeting during which we accomplished a ton of stuff!
Below photos:
- Some of the cleanup crew, helping to keep our river valley beautiful.
- Water station crew at the SPS 1/2 Marathon.
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Thank You
To Those Who Support Us
Once again, it must be emphasized that we cannot do what we do without the ongoing support of our community. Thank you so very much to Prairieland Park ($10,000 donation from unclaimed 50/50 tickets) and BMO - University Heights Branch ($1,500 donation) for their kindness and generosity. These funds are being put towards additional training and equipment needs.
Left photo: Mr. Stu Irvine, Chair of the Board for Prairieland Park, and Shelley Ballard-McKinlay, President, Saskatoon Search and Rescue
Right photo: Mr. Brant Jones, VP Financial Planning, BMO, and Shelley Ballard-McKinlay, President, Saskatoon Search and Rescue
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Activations
This Month
Four calls in one week! We're pretty sure that's a record for us.
Two activations from the Saskatoon Police Service, one from the RCMP and one standby notification from the RCMP in the event we were required to assist our colleagues at North Corman Park SAR. A 74-year-old woman with dementia and a 3-year-old boy, who decided he wanted to go visit his neighbour instead of play in the yard with his big brothers, were located quickly and safely. Sadly, the male in the Corman Park area was located deceased. The fourth situation is a longer term missing person case that is still ongoing.
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Emergency Preparedness
And Missing Persons Week
May 1 - 7, 2016, is National Emergency Preparedness Week and Provincial Missing Persons Week.
Go to www.getprepared.ca for some great advice on what to put in an emergency kit and how to prepare before, during and after an emergency. Saskatoon residents, if you haven't already done so, sign up for NotifyNow to be informed of emergent events/circumstances that may affect you and your family.
"Missing, But Not Forgotten" is the theme of this years' Missing Persons Week. Several events are taking place throughout the province. RCMP and municipal police agencies are using social media to highlight missing person cases in the hopes of generating awareness and gathering information.
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Training and Events
Monthly Training Meetings
Training sessions are generally held the first Thursday and Saturday of the month. All Thursday evening sessions are held in the classroom at the Fire Training Centre, 116 Ave W S, unless otherwise specified. Field days are generally held the following Saturday.
Friday evening - Sunday, May 13-15 - A multi-jurisdictional search exercise at Coderre, SK, is being organized by SARSAV.
Thursday, June 2 - 7pm, classroom (**Note: these dates subject to change.)
Saturday, June 4 - Field day, location TBA
SSAR Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of SSAR will be held on Thursday, May 26 at 7 pm at the Fire Training Centre, 116 Ave W S.
Mental Health First Aid Training
Saskatoon Search and Rescue and the Saskatoon Police Service will be hosting a Mental Health First Aid course on September 17-18. The course is very valuable to SAR members as it teaches how to help people who are developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Members of all Saskatchewan SAR Chapters are welcome to attend. Cost will be approx. $35 to cover the cost of course materials (SSAR members will be covered by SSAR). Note: this course normally costs approx. $180 so this is a great opportunity. Further details and registration information will be made available once they are finalized.
SARSAV Meeting
The next meeting of the Search and Rescue Saskatchewan Association of Volunteers (SARSAV) is Saturday, June 11, at 9:30 am at the Saskatoon Travelodge. The meeting is open to all members in good standing of Saskatchewan SAR chapters.
Search Dog Seminars
A Search Dog Bootcamp Seminar will be held in Regina, May 28-29 and a Search Dog Basics Seminar will be held June 3 - 5. Registration is now open for both seminars. Go to the Precision Search Dog website for more information or email mwtracks@netzero.net.
Executive and Directors Meeting
The next SSAR Executive and Directors meeting will be held on Thursday, June 30, at 7 pm. These are business-style meetings of our chapter and are held the last Thursday of each month. All members are welcome to attend. If you would like to speak to an issue concerning SSAR, please notify the President prior to the meeting so time can be allotted on the agenda. If you would like a copy of the minutes from any past meetings, please email us.
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What else would you like to see in the SSAR newsletter? Do you have something that should be included next month? Please email the Communications Director with your ideas, comments and feedback. Thanks!
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