Cranbrook Search and Rescue

04/28/2026

Have you ever been interested in joining search and rescue? Now is the time! We are hosting our bi-annual intake night tomorrow Wednesday April 29th.

Join Cranbrook Search and Rescue for our intake night on Wednesday April 29th from 6 PM to 9 PM.
6 PM - 7 PM - Information Session
7 PM - 9 PM - Practice

Requirements
- 18 years old +
- Cranbrook & area resident
- Clean criminal record check
- Your own outdoor gear
Help us help others!
Email [email protected] for an application form.

04/08/2026

Come meet us at Cranbrook Club Fair today (Wednesday April 8) between 6 PM and 9 PM at Cranbrook History Centre.

We are accepting applications for volunteers for both our Ground SAR and Highway Rescue teams.

See you there!

11/13/2025

StellerVista Credit Union is celebrating their 75 year anniversary this year and as part of their celebrations is donating to non-profit organizations. Cranbrook Search and Rescue is one of the lucky receivers of a donation and would like to thank the Commercial Team at StellerVista for choosing us!

Continuing the spirit of giving, if you are a StellerVista member you can enter the colouring contest and StellerVista will donate $10 to 1 of 6 organizations, Cranbrook Search and Rescue being one of them!

11/12/2025

Lest we forget.

Today, members of Cranbrook SAR participated in the Remembrance Day parade and ceremony to honour and remember those who have served and sacrificed for our freedom.

🌹

11/05/2025

"𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘚𝘈𝘙"

𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 Chris
Chris joined Cranbrook Search And Rescue as one of our youngest members. Now (6.5 years later) he has followed Jared up as our new president.

𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲
Chris Cawdell

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝘂𝗽?
Cranbrook — I’ve lived here my whole life!

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿?
6.5 years now.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗔𝗥?
I’m the current president. Besides that, I’m also a GSAR Team Leader, Highway Rescue Team Member, Rope Rescue Team Leader, Advanced First Aid Attendant, and Avalanche Response Team Member.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻?
I work at a sawmill as a maintenance crew member and first aid attendant. I’m also a firefighter with the RDEK.

𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗸𝗲?
Lakit is a regional favourite. Whether it’s just to the lookout or all the way up, it’s always a great hike.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘂𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗔𝗥?
When I was 16, I wanted to earn extra high school credits and decided to volunteer somewhere. SAR seemed like a good fit. That same summer, I completed a six-week program with the army cadets and earned my first aid certificate — so joining Cranbrook SAR just made sense after that.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘂𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝟯 𝗔𝗠?
Food is always a good idea — especially cabbage rolls! I also really enjoy the TV series Hogan’s Heroes. So waking me up at 3 AM for one of those (or both!) is fine by me.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁𝘆 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲?
Is ice cream a guilty pleasure? I don’t have it often, but I really love it!

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗔𝗥 (𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗦𝗔𝗥)?
The team itself. Even though we’re all volunteers, everyone is so committed and passionate. People are friendly and close — not just within SAR, but outside of it too. One word to describe it: camaraderie.

Another thing that surprised me is the province-wide standardization of training. Our GSAR program is the same across B.C., as are other certifications like the Team Leader course.

𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀?
If you’re interested in joining Cranbrook SAR — go for it! You’ll learn tons of new skills and meet some amazing people. Even if you don’t want to be out in the field, there are always other ways to help within the organization.

•

A little friendly reminder - In case of an emergency ⚠️ call 911 or activate your SOS beacon 🆘️ ASAP.

Cranbrook SAR is a non-profit organization and fully run by volunteers. Your help and donations are of great help. Please consider making a donation or joining as a volunteer.

City of Cranbrook British Columbia Search and Rescue Association e-KNOW (East Kootenay News Online Weekly) EKNOW Extra Cranbrook Townsman

10/23/2025

Trick or Treat!

Just like last year, Cranbrook SAR is participating in downtown Trick or Treat this coming Saturday the 25th.

You can find us right beside Ed the Elephant.

09/10/2025

Today we celebrate Global Search and Rescue Day!

We are deeply grateful for our amazing volunteers. Thanks to their day-and-night availability and the countless hours of training they put in, Cranbrook SAR is always ready to serve our community.

Today we not only recognize our own team, but also all SAR volunteers around the world who dedicate their time and skills to help others.

Happy Global Search and Rescue Day to all SAR volunteers! September 10 is especially relevant in BC as on this date in 1982 the first rescue from a COSPAS-SARSAT signal in the world took place! The satellite based world wide system was built by Canada, Soviet Union, France and the US; It was during a test that a activation was noted from a crashed aircraft in northern BC. Three people were rescued from the crash, the pilot spoke about his experience at SARscene 2007 in Victoria 25 years later. Even with recent developments in alternative alerting systems the COSPAS-SARSAT continues to play a major role in responding to air, marine and ground incidents.

09/09/2025

PSA

With hunting season in full swing, Cranbrook SAR would like to remind everyone to wear a helmet and seat belt (if equipped) when venturing out in your side-by-side or other ATV. Even on forest roads, accidents can and do happen. So please ride safe!

•

A little friendly reminder - In case of an emergency ⚠️ call 911 or activate your SOS beacon 🆘️ ASAP.

Cranbrook SAR is a non-profit organization and fully run by volunteers. Your help and donations are of great help. Please consider making a donation or joining as a volunteer.

City of Cranbrook British Columbia Search and Rescue Association e-KNOW (East Kootenay News Online Weekly) EKNOW Extra Cranbrook Townsman

09/06/2025

Please stay clear of the Meachen Creek Falls area as we continue our search alongside Kimberley SAR today. Thank you!

PSA

Kimberley SAR will be active as we continue to ongoing search at Meachen Creek Falls. Please stay clear of the area to allow us room to work. Emergency vehicles will be present on the road ways. If you intend to use the road for work or recreation, please avoid the falls area and use a two way radio to reduce to chance of vehicle interactions.

07/29/2025

Injured Mountain Biker Rescued from Curly Trail

Today, Cranbrook Search and Rescue responded to a call to assist an injured mountain biker on Curly Trail in the Community Forest. The rider, who was on a fast e-bike, fell and sustained a shoulder injury. Our team was able to safely extract and transport the biker for medical care.

This is the second mountain biking rescue on Curly Trail this year. Even in familiar local areas like the Community Forest, accidents can happen. Please ride within your limits, wear proper protective gear, and always leave a trip plan—especially if heading out alone.

Stay safe and enjoy the trails responsibly.

•

A little friendly reminder - In case of an emergency ⚠️ call 911 or activate your SOS beacon 🆘️ ASAP.

Cranbrook SAR is a non-profit organization and fully run by volunteers. Your help and donations are of great help. Please consider making a donation or joining as a volunteer.

City of Cranbrook British Columbia Search and Rescue Association e-KNOW (East Kootenay News Online Weekly) EKNOW Extra Cranbrook Townsman

07/26/2025

Cranbrook Search and Rescue extends our heartfelt condolences to the family of Jim Dezall.

Jim’s dedication to serving the Cranbrook community was key to establishing both the Ground Search and Rescue and Highway Rescue Teams. His efforts, together with the support of his wife, Judy, helped lay the foundation of what Cranbrook SAR is today.

As one of our founding members, Jim’s leadership and commitment will always be remembered. We are truly grateful for the lasting contributions Jim and Judy made to our team and community.

In Loving Memory
James Stewart Dezall
July 19, 1944 – July 21, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of James Stewart Dezall, who passed away peacefully at home on Monday, July 21, 2025, with his loving wife Judy by his side.

Born in Cranbrook on July 19, 1944 Jim was a man of integrity and compassion, a true gentleman. Jim was deeply devoted to the ones he loved and a loyal friend to many. His steady presence and genuine care made a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.
Jim had a long and respected career with BC Tel, but his true calling was in emergency services. He dedicated much of his life to serving the people of the East Kootenays. Jim was a volunteer paramedic with the Cranbrook Ambulance, and a founding member of Cranbrook Search and Rescue, Jim helped shape the foundation of local response efforts. He also shared his expertise by instructing auto extrication to fire departments throughout the valley, helping train first responders across the region.

Jim is lovingly remembered by his wife Judy Dezall; brother Allen Dezall (Pat); his daughters Lora-Lee Murray (Stu) and Jana Hirsch (Mike); stepsons Jason Bertalanic (Carla) and James Bertalanic. Jim leaves behind seven cherished grandchildren all of whom he was very proud of, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. Jim was predeceased by his parents; Gordon and Hazel Dezall; sister Sandra Swenson; sister-in-law Pat Dezall.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s memory may be made to the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund (burnfund.org), a cause that held special meaning for him.

Jim’s family would like to express their heart felt thanks to Dr. Brown for his compassionate care and friendship, Dr. McIver and the entire palliative care team.

A celebration of life, will be held at a later date.