The Fall 2025 intake is now closed.
The Prince George Search and Rescue Society (
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.
PGSAR was involved in a two day search east of Prince George this weekend, with mutual aid provided by Nechako Valley and Quesnel SAR teams. We were able to return the favour Sunday evening when PGSAR was requested to provide mutual aid to Quesnel SAR for an injured sledder in the Wells backcountry. The ability to lean on each other for mutual aid and support from our neighbours allowed for both tasks to be complete. #pgsar #searchandrescue #SAR #prince #PrinceGeorge #princegeorgebc
PGSAR assisted in a call for mutual aid with our neighbours Quesnel Search & Rescue. Thanks to all involved who made this rescue a success.Just 10 minutes before the kick off to the “big game” Quesnel Search and Rescue was contacted to assist BCEHS and respond to the activation of an SOS device in the area of Mt. Agnes and Groundhog Lake. The initial report was that a rider had been thrown from his snowmobile on the edge of the super ‘bowl’ that makes this area's geography particularly enticing for riders across the region.![]()
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The BCEHS Air Ambulance won the first coin toss, getting off the ground from Prince George as our team was on the road to the trail head. Poor visibility caused the pilot to scrub the touchdown, allowing ground SAR teams a chance at the interception.![]()
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In Search and Rescue, we always score points for safety. Prior to leaving our hall QSAR reached out to our Avalanche Safety Officer (the undisputed champion of back country safety) who coached from the sidelines. This expert combed through large amounts of data, including snowfall, temperature, on-the-ground-reports, topographical, sun loading, and route data in order to select the exact path in and out. After a quick huddle we determined the risk was compatible with the training and experience of the team members going in. The Initial Response team had explicit instructions to say on the field (groomed and marked trails) and avoid any offside play.![]()
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Typically QSAR would have to ‘punt’ a task like this to a team with a stronger avalanche skillset, but the conditions on the gridiron allowed us to safely deploy a team of three to the subject while reinforcements from PGSAR were on their way. Home team advantage in this case was simply about getting to the subject sooner. ![]()
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The nature of the injury and the complications of this ‘arena’ meant the head-coach for this task had to call for ‘special teams’. The top players from our Winter Response team and our First Aid team were hand picked to respond alongside a fresh draft-pick on our team who is a veteran of that terrain, the very same person who had just operated the groomer on that same trail just a day prior. ![]()
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The subject was being attended to by other riders who really showed true grit on the one-yard-line. It was this group who initially transported the subject to the shelter at Groundhog Lake, relayed real-time information to the emergency alerting provider, and attended to the subject until higher level care was available. Standing ovation!![]()
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Our first team was able to reach the goal line safely, but this was only the Half Time Show. This trio assessed the subject, relayed vitals, initiated hypothermia protocol, and repackaged the subject for transport. Once the subject was secured, it was time for The Longest Yard, the slow and careful trip down the trail network to the end zone.![]()
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While heading downfield an additional defensive line of QSAR and PGSAR members supported the extraction team. This included retrieving items from the cabin, and trailside, which were intentionally left behind in a game-time-decision. Before the final buzzer we ensured we left nothing on the field, at least after we went back up for that AED (thanks again Rotary Club of Quesnel).![]()
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Touchdown! Just before 2100 (9pm) our team was able to transfer our subject to the care of BCEHS paramedics who provided expert care and highway transport for the subject.![]()
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SAR teams like ours can receive calls like this on Any Given Sunday. It is preferred to get these alerts early so they can take place during daylight hours, but given the early sunsets of winter we have to be prepared for those (Friday) Night Lights. We kindly ask that back country users please travel in groups, wear an avalanche beacon, and ensure at least one person in a riding group is carrying an emergency signaling device.![]()
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Now, for the MVP list. QSAR would like to thank PGSAR for their support on this task. Even though PGSAR is in a different colour jersey, we’re all one big team. An additional thank you goes out to the Wells Snowmobile Club for the use of their cabin for staging and sheltering the subject, and to the Barkerville Historic Town & Park for the use of their facilities. We are your biggest fans!![]()
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Thank you all for putting up with this after-action report that reads more like a post-game show. We didn’t get to watch the game, but we are okay with that. This is what we signed up for. Our dedication to responding is why SAR teams across the region are trusted to bring your loved ones home.
💙 COMMUNITY COLLABORATION AT ITS BEST 🧦💙![]()
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A huge THANK YOU to Bruce, Alaa and George for their incredibly generous purchase of $1,000 worth of Mr. PG socks in support of Prince George Search and Rescue 🙌![]()
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Even cooler? 😎 These socks are being donated to volunteers of this year’s PG Iceman Race!![]()
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For the entire month of February, Tourism Prince George is graciously donating the proceeds from Mr. PG sock sales directly to PG Search and Rescue. This is exactly the kind of community collaboration that makes Prince George so special, and we’d love to make February a BIG month for sock sales!![]()
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🧦 Want a pair?![]()
👉 Visit the Tourism PG team in person at their new location:![]()
📍 Civic Centre – 850 Canada Games Way![]()
🕘 Monday–Friday | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM![]()
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👉 Or order online — link in the comments!![]()
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Thank you to everyone supporting local, supporting volunteers, and supporting PGSAR 💛 #hypg #takeonpg #mrpg
Huge Shoutout to Tourism Prince George and their team for featuring our local Search and Rescue Efforts!![]()
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Fundraisers like this help us grow and support our capabilities but also integrate us with the community we are proud to support!![]()
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Be sure to grab the Iconic Mr. PG socks in the month of February and check out the awesome Tourism PG location at the civic centre
Thanks to CKPG for featuring our search manager and winter response coordinator Dave Merritt.![]()
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Dave walks us through a quick demonstration on how to initiate an expedited companion rescue if a riding partner is caught in an avalanche. ![]()
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We are thankful to have the Prince George Avalanche Transceiver Park up and running at the Caledonia Ski Club! Be sure to get out and practice! ![]()
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Our team had an opportunity to practice at the park last night. It’s operational and works well for simple to complex rescue scenarios.![]()
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A reminder before you head out:![]()
• Always wear your beacon![]()
• Perform a beacon check before leaving![]()
• Fresh batteries matter—batteries are cheap, lives aren’t![]()
• Cold temperatures drain batteries fast, especially rechargeables, which can lose effectiveness in the cold![]()
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Be prepared. Ride smart. Look out for each other.