Fishing, hunting, boating, snowmobiling and hiking are all popular activities in northern Manitoba.
Unfortunately, these and other outdoor pastimes also present opportunities for people to become lost.
For the past 30 years, Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA) has been on call to assist in such situations.
Now, as CASARA’s volunteer base declines, there is a call out to the public to consider getting involved.
Gerry Angell is a pilot who has been volunteering with CASARA for the past 25 years and has experience with a wide range of missing-person situations.
“When someone is overdue, meaning they haven’t arrived at their destination at the appropriate time, we might be sent out to look for them,” he said.
CASARA works with government officials and the RCMP in finding people believed to be stranded, often in remote locations.
Having a properly trained group of volunteers who know the area is a huge asset to officials during a search.
Trained to search by air, a CASARA pilot, spotter and ground crew will work together looking for the lost individual.
If the person is found, often CASARA volunteers will relay the good news to officials on the ground, who then go in to retrieve the individual.
“We are trained to be proficient in what we do,” said Angell. “There is a certain way to communicate and call a plane around to avoid confusion when you spot something. It takes practice.”
Through the CASARA program, Angell and the other volunteers will participate in training exercises in preparation for calls.
Having the opportunity to fly over the area is a perk of the practice sessions for pilots and spotters alike.
Individuals who are not interested in flying can be assigned a wide variety of ground-crew duties.
“We are always looking for people to be certified as a radio operator or to look after the office,” Angell said.
People with computer skills and a knack for keeping things organized are needed on an ongoing basis, as are those who can help with food preparation during a large search.
Angell said CASARA volunteers enjoy a strong camaraderie.
“It’s quite enjoyable doing the practice exercises,” he added.
In the past, CASARA volunteers have also had the opportunity to train on large Hercules aircrafts. Trips to other parts of Canada have also been memorable experiences for the volunteers.
As part of its volunteer recruitment drive, CASARA will have a manned information table at Scotiabank on Main Street next week. Members will be on hand from 11 am to 3 pm next Monday to Thursday, Jan. 11 to 14. Anyone interested in the program is welcome to stop by.
More information on CASARA is available at Casara.ca. Anyone interested in volunteering or learning more may contact Gerry Angell at 306-362-2112 or Butch Lekopoy at 204-687-5568.
