Prince George Search and Rescue

The Fall 2025 intake is now closed.

The Prince George Search and Rescue Society (PGSAR) is a registered non-profit organization operating in and around the Prince George region. PGSAR is manned solely by volunteers who respond 24/7, all year round, in all types of weather conditions. Members are unpaid professionals highly trained in wilderness skills and technical rescue.

We are tasked by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Coroner Service of British Columbia, and British Columbia Ambulance Service (BCAS) in a variety of search and rescue functions. As members of a provincial team, we are sometimes asked to assist in other areas of the province as well.

How we are activated

Prince George Search and Rescue is activated by emergency services. If this is an emergency, please contact 9-11 and they will activate our team as needed.

Please note there is no cost for search and rescue! You do not need to wait 24 hours to report someone as missing. The sooner they are reported, the sooner we can help!

For non-emergency contact, please see the contact tab at the top of the webpage.

Non-Emergency Contact

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Prince George Search and Rescue

5 hours ago

PGSAR assisted Quesnel Search & Rescue in this dynamic task last night. Our winter response team provided technical assessment and safety guidance in this response in complex avalanche terrain. It was determined to call for the help from the RCAF.Thank you to the Royal Canadian Air Force for their assistance from the 442 Squadron.e iThis afternoon, Quesnel Search & Rescue was deployed to assist a snowmobile operator who had become separated from his party and trapped in a large drainage deep within avalanche terrain. Collaborating with avalanche safety experts from Prince George Search and Rescue, the team drafted an on-the-ground plan to address the "Considerable" avalanche risk in the Alpine. To mitigate the danger of exposing more volunteer personnel to the hazard, a request was made for the Royal Canadian Air Force 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron from Comox. This specialized resource is reserved for high-risk missions, and we are grateful they accepted the task. We commend the subject’s riding party for their vital role in maintaining communication and monitoring his location for several hours. The subject had a two-way radio with them which served as a lifeline.When venturing into the backcountry be sure to have an emergency signalling device, a means to keep warm, and appropriate avalanche safety gear if riding in avalanche terrain.Thank you to all who were involved in this rescue. When the call comes in SAR volunteers step up to serve our community.Avalanche Canada North Rockies Avalanche Canada Royal Canadian Mounted Police ... See MoreSee Less

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Prince George Search and Rescue is with Tourism Prince George and City of Prince George.

2 days ago

Huge thank you, Prince George! ❤️🧦Just 3 days left to grab your pair and support PGSAR!Your incredible support of Mr. PG sock sales this February has made a real impact for Prince George Search and Rescue.Because of your purchases, we’re excited to share that proceeds from this month’s sales will go directly toward upgrading our aging AEDs and ensuring both of our response trucks are equipped with two new ZOLL AED units.These lifesaving devices are critical tools for our volunteers whether we’re responding in the backcountry or supporting events here in our community. Your support helps us stay prepared when seconds matter most.There are still a few days left in February to grab your pair! You can purchase socks at the Tourism Prince George Visitor Centre, located at Canada Games Way beneath the library in the Civic Centre.Let’s finish the month strong and continue showing what makes this community so special. 💛#PGSAR #PrinceGeorgeBC #CommunityStrong #MrPGSocks ... See MoreSee Less

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Prince George Search and Rescue

3 days ago

Ice conditions are fluctuating greatly in the region. If you're headed onto ice make sure to have the proper gear and know how to use it. Consider taking an ice rescue course.Carry a throwbag/PFD/Ice Awls. Make sure you have a travel plan with a trusted friend that knows where you are heading and when to expect you back by. ... See MoreSee Less

Freeze-thaw cycles create deadly conditions with B.C. lakes and rivers this Winter Two snowmobilers lost their lives near Anahim Lake after breaking through the ice on Charlotte Lake on February 17, 2026, a tragedy that highlights the dangers of this year's unstable ice conditions. Search Manager Dave Merritt of Prince George Search and Rescue says a pattern of cold spells followed by significant warming has made ice across the region thinner and less predictable than usual, with hidden springs and snow cover making it impossible to judge thickness by sight alone. Both Merritt and the RCMP are urging the public to be prepared, take an ice rescue course, and consider avoiding frozen lakes and rivers entirely for activities like snowmobiling, ice fishing, and snowshoeing.

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Prince George Search and Rescue

6 days ago

PGSAR members are looking forward to connecting with outdoor adventurers tomorrow evening at Avalanche Awareness Night! ... See MoreSee Less

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Prince George Search and Rescue

7 days ago

Be searchable!Today, PGSAR put into service a new helicopter-mounted RECCO detector, the third in British Columbia, and sixth such device in Canada. What does this detector do? The RECCO detector sends out a directional radio wave that reflects off passive (unpowered) RECCO reflectors commonly found in ski clothing, boots, and an assortment of outdoor equipment. When a lost person is known or suspected to have a RECCO reflector on them, we can employ this technology to search a wide swath of terrain in significantly less time than traditional ground searching. While having a RECCO reflector does not replace leaving a detailed trip plan, bringing essential safety and communications equipment, and being prepared in case of an emergency, adding RECCO to your kit increases options for SAR finding you if you are lost. PGSAR is excited to add this tool to our toolbox, bringing RECCO search capabilities to northern British Columbia.Recco Advanced Rescue Technology BC AdventureSmart ... See MoreSee Less

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