Media Contacts

Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General

Emergency Management BC
Media Relations
250 952-5062

Backgrounders

Facts about Public Safety Lifeline volunteers in B.C.
  • There are approximately 2,500 registered search and rescue volunteers throughout B.C. who respond to more than 1,700 incidents annually.
    • In 95% of cases, subjects are found or rescued within the first 24 hours.
  • Road Rescue volunteers attend more than 2,000 motor vehicle accidents annually throughout the province.
    • Under the road rescue organization, teams provide vehicle extrication, rope rescue and other specialized rescue services to help protect B.C.’s travelling public.
  • PEP Air's primary function is to assist the Canadian Forces in their mandate for aviation search and rescue missions when additional resources are required, and apply these services to ground search and rescue, aerial assessments and movement of personnel and equipment in time of emergency.
    • The organization includes 75 aircraft crewed by more than 500 pilots, spotters and navigators.
  • Emergency Support Services, previously named Emergency Social Services, provides short-term assistance to British Columbians who are forced to leave their homes because of fire, floods or other emergencies.
    • This assistance includes food, lodging, clothing, emotional support and family reunification.
  • Emergency Radio Communications respond when other systems of communications fail. A proven and reliable means of communications, emergency or “ham” radio is a public safety lifeline that helps co-ordinate crisis relief.