Oliver-Osoyoos Search and Rescue began moving its new home to the airport on July 25.
Lyonel Doherty Photo
To most people 20 minutes isn’t much time. But Nina Kleissen, a volunteer with the Oliver-Osoyoos Search and Rescue team (SAR) said 20 minutes can make a big difference when it comes to emergency situations.
She said that is also approximately how much time she expects SAR will shave off their response time once they move into their new location at the airport on Cessna Street. Currently the 35 member team is housed in the Community Services Building on Kootenay Street but have to store their equipment on a portion of airport land.
Kleissen said having to go to two locations to prepare for a task leaves the team with a response time of about 30 minutes and that can be too long. She said the group came to the realization that a larger building for their growing team was necessary a few years ago.
“Our team has been expanding, and we share the Community Services Building with other groups – everyone is growing. We needed a more practical space.”
This summer their search came to an end when School District 53 put their portables up for auction.
SAR purchased the portable used as the high school’s administration office at the end of June and were granted a 20-year lease agreement to keep the building on the land next to the air cadet hangar .
They began moving their new building on July 25 and Kleissen is hopeful that it will be ready in time for their September open house, but said it will depend on getting the foundation completed in time and getting the proper permits in place.
“When we found out that our bid was accepted we just about fell over. It was a huge day for us,” she said, adding that SAR also received a lot of support from the Town.
At their July 22 meeting, council also committed to extend the sewer infrastructure past the east side of the airport, which will allow SAR to connect their building to town services.
Mayor Ron Hovanes said initially council was going to wait for the next budget cycle but committing the funds now was worthwhile.
“I believe that council made a good decision on behalf of the community in granting this lease to the Oliver and Osoyoos Search and Rescue,” he said.
“They are a vibrant group who give up so much of their time to work for their communities. The lease will make them an even stronger organization.”
Oliver-Osoyoos Search and Rescue (OOSAR) is an emergency initial response team comprised entirely of volunteers. Members are all ground search and rescue trained. SAR is divided into three categories, air, marine and ground and inland waters.
OOSAR is one of approximately 80 search and rescue groups in BC. They are maintained and coordinated by the Provincial Emergency Response Program (PEP). Training for their volunteers is developed and coordinated by the Emergency Management Division of the PEP Academy at the Justice Institute of BC. (Information courtesy of OOSAR)
To find our more or become a volunteer visit www.oosar.org.
Erin Christie
Oliver Chronicle
