It’s the Season of Search and Rescue and Pickering Offers the Right Gear and Supplies

North Shore Rescue (NSR) is a Mountain Search and Rescue Team based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The team consists of approximately 50 volunteers skilled in search and rescue operations in mountain, canyon and urban settings. NSR performs approximately 130 search & rescue operations annually, with some operations lasting multiple days. They are just one example of the many search and rescue teams across British Columbia that help keep people safe.

Cоmmunіtу Emergency Response Tеаm (or CERT) mеmbеrѕ аrе often thе fіrѕt реорlе оut іn thе field to begin thе ѕеаrсh and rеѕсuе. Thеѕе CERT mеmbеrѕ are intensely trained and knоw thе tеrrаіn of their rescue operations very wеll. CERT teams rely on durable safety equipment in order for their rescue missions to come to a successful conclusion.

Pickering Safety is proud to offer products that help these CERT teams in their mission to save lives.

First-aid reflective vеѕtѕ аrе a hеlрful раrt of thе ѕеаrсh аnd rеѕсuе ѕuррlіеѕ аnd tооlѕ. Thеу аrе еаѕіlу ѕееn frоm a dіѕtаnсе due tо соlоr аnd thе reflective quаlіtу оf thе tаре, trіm and fаbrіс so other CERT mеmbеrѕ саn еаѕіlу lосаtе еасh other. Thіѕ vest іѕ ѕо hіghlу visible that it is possible thаt thе person being ѕеаrсhеd fоr wіll ѕее the brіght соlоr and realize hеlр іѕ оn іtѕ wау.

Othеr tооlѕ аnd ѕuррlіеѕ еѕѕеntіаl tо a ѕеаrсh аnd rеѕсuе operation іnсludе ѕоlаr rаdіоѕ, flаѕhlіghtѕ, blankets аnd fall protection. British Columbia’s beautifully rugged terrain makes for scenic hiking but when things go wrong and rescuers need to decend sharp vertical drops, fall protection and harnesses can make the rescue possible.

The seemingly unending rаіn in BC makes rain ponchos obligatory fоr both thе CERT members on their search and the victims they may find.

Sоlаr blаnkеtѕ аnd sleeping bаgѕ іn thе event of a temperature drор оr оvеrnіght stay аrе a good іdеа. You mау fіnd that your search аnd rеѕсuе mission gоеѕ frоm dау tо nіght in which case industrial-grade flаѕhlіghtѕ аrе еѕѕеntіаl tо your ѕеаrсh аnd rescue supplies kit.

Of course, on any search and rescue operation when the condition of the lost individual is not known it’s important to carry a wide array of first-aid supplies to be prepared for the worst. Pickering Safety carries some of the most sought after immobilization devices to carefully get victims out of the wildnerness without causing futher damage. Pickering Safety has stretchers, splints, braces and collars – everything you need to keep an individual safely immobile. And the  emergency medical first aid supplies CERT workers will need when they find the lost individual.

If You are Part of a CERT Please Contact Pickering Safety – We Would Love to Help Ensure the Right Supplies are Within Arms Reach.

*Please note, we may not carry all the items depicted in the images of this post, but we often do carry similar ones. Please inquire with us directly about any products featured.

 Wildfires During British Columbia Summers are Becoming More Common

This summer of 2017 is shaping up to be one of the most active wildfire seasons we’ve seen in years. Everyone is talking about the speed with which the fires emerged and the scale of damage that they are doing as over 200 wildfires rage across the province. In 2015, Pickering Safety published a blog post to raise awareness about fire safety and to highlight some products we carry that can help people do their part to prevent wildfires. This year, given the state of emergency we’re currently in, we’d like to focus solely on highlighting ways in which people can contribute to helping those who have lost their homes or who have otherwise been impacted.

Please Be Aware of Wildfires

Most of the active wildfires in the province were started by lightening storms, however, there are instances where cigarettes or neglected campfires have also contributed to, or started, a wildfire. Although fires started by humans via cigarettes, campfires, fireworks etc. can be contained, they eat up valuable resources that could be used to battle the much larger naturally occurring wildfires that are threatening peoples homes. During a state of emergency, every fire fighter’s time is highly valuable and shouldn’t be wasted putting out fires caused by avoidable, man-made situations. Campfires are strictly banned across the province right now and please be responsible with your cigarettes, fireworks or other potentially fire-causing instruments. Keep a fire extinguisher at your home and your office and perhaps a mask and some burn management first aid supplies on-hand in case of emergencies. Lastly, avoid highway routes that are near active wildfire zones. There have been quite a few road closures and evacuations throughout the summer across the province. If you have travel plans, keep yourself informed of areas you should avoid so as not to put unnecessary strain on the system.

Canadian Red Cross Fire Relief

The Canadian Red Cross is probably the largest and most active organization that’s helping those who have been impacted by the wildfires raging across the province. Their primary concern is helping those who have been evacuated find essentials like food, water and shelter. In their own words:

“Massive wildfires have triggered a province-wide state of emergency in British Columbia. Fast moving flames have forced thousands of people from their homes. Urgent support is needed for individuals and families evacuated from their communities.  

The Canadian Red Cross is supporting the B.C. government in providing relief for those affected and a British Columbia Fires Appeal has been opened for Canadians who wish to help those in need.”

The Relief Effort Needs Time and Money

Safety should be everyone’s concern especially given the broad scope of this emergency. Anyone could be effected by a wildfire and it seems almost every summer a different group of people are massively impacted. The Canadian Red Cross Fire Relief has called for people to donate their time and money to helping their efforts. Volunteers can sign up on their website and monetary contributions can also be made online. There are further details on the specific initiatives your donations will help support also discussed on their website here.