On December 9th, 2018, the Search and Rescue Saskatchewan Association of Volunteers (SARSAV) welcomed the Prince Albert Grand Council Search and Rescue team as the 18th SARSAV Chapter and First Indigenous Group at the Saskatoon police Services in Saskatoon, SK.
The Prince Albert Grand Council signed a memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Prince Albert Police Service and the RCMP ‘F’ Division on search and rescue. This agreement ensures the sharing of available resources, knowledge and skill sets when it comes to emergency situations such as search, rescue and recovery efforts.
The PAGC SAR team has been busy the last 4 years with many of our First Nation Communities requesting our assistance with searching for a missing loved one, many times our team was unable to provide the proper assistance when it came to water rescue recovery missions. Our team then began exploring options and began working on proposals to acquire the necessary equipment needed. Our late Search Manager, Randy Bair with the guidance of our teacher, elder and tracker Tom Charles from the Lac La Ronge Indian band had a vision of what our search team needed to provide the highest quality of service. Our team also developed a strong working relationship with the HEART Water Rescue Team, Lloydminster Rescue Squad, GMB and Stanley Mission Rescue teams.
PAGC Search and Rescue submitted a proposal to the Northern Lights Community Development Corporation (NLCDC) in the amount of $200,000 to acquire an Under Water Rover, Side Sonar and Rescue Boat. Our team went straight to work, and we were activated by the LLRIB Leadership and PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte to assist Grandmothers Bay in the recovery efforts of three community members who fell through the ice in their snowmobiles. Our Underwater Rover and operator successfully recovered one of the community members.
PAGC SAR would like to Thank the Northern Light Community Development Corporation (NLCDC) for your generous contribution. We now can provide the highest quality of search and rescue services using a team approach in providing land, water search and rescue services for our PAGC First Nation Communities and other First Nation communities who request assistance.
Our Team would like to take this opportunity to share a Special Thank You to our Late Search Manager, Randy Bair, who lost his short battle with cancer. Without his guidance, knowledge and forward thinking, we wouldn’t be where we are today, we miss you greatly and often think of you when we are out searching.
PAGC SAR Team:
Michelle Vandevord, President
Lorne Stewart, Team Lead
Mitch Mesenchuk, Drone/ROV Operator
Pierce Pellerin, Drone/ROV Operator
Harold Isbister, Searcher
Tina Pelletier, Communications/Searcher
James Ballantyne, Searcher