Following ten days of continuous operations, Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue team members continue to work on the clean up and repair of equipment, documentation and an operational reviews.
On Wednesday evening the team participated in two debriefings, a Critical incident stress debriefing; a process designed to look after the emotional health of the team member following traumatic and stressful operations, followed by an informal operation review of the seven day search for 66 year old, Sylvia Apps.
CVGSAR would like to extend its deepest appreciation to the Ground SAR Teams from across the province and to the Comox Valley community for the overwhelming support it received through the seven operational periods of the Sylvia Apps search.
Thank you to the following Ground SAR Teams:
Alberni Valley Rescue Squad, Arrowsmith (Parksville-Qualicum), Campbell River SAR
Central Fraser Valley SAR, Coquitlam SAR, Cowichan SAR, Chilliwack SAR,
Juan de Fuca SAR, Ladysmith SAR, Lions Bay SAR, Nanaimo SAR, North Shore SAR
Peninsula Emergency Measures Organization (Victoria), Ridge Meadows SAR
SaltSpring Island SAR, Shushwap SAR, Squamish SAR, Sunshine Coast SAR,
Canadian Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA)
Thank you to the following community organizations/ businesses
Of particular note was the open door co-operation and teamwork demonstrated by the management and staff of Mt. Washington Resort who provided the use of Raven’s Lodge throughout the search as well as areas for helicopter landing zones, as well as meals and accommodations for search teams across the province.
Thrifty Foods too opened its doors to provide lunches and gallons of water for thirsty searchers operating in the extreme heat in the first days of the search.
Overwhelmingly the searchers would like to thank the helicopter pilots who worked tirelessly shuttling search team and supplies in and out of the search area from early morning until late each evening. Without dedication and skillful flying of the following companies the searchers would not have been able to cover the hundreds of kilometers of search area. Our deepest gratitude goes out to: Grizzly Helicopters, West Coast Helicopters, E and B Helicopters, Kestrel Helicopters, Talon Helicopters, Black Comb Helicopters and RCMP Air Services.
Many other local organizations and businesses reacted immediately to our operational needs and supported our efforts to find Sylvia. These include:
Comox District Mountaineering Club
Comox Taxi
Columbia Fuels
Tim Horton’s
Staples
Citizens on Patrol
Footprints Security
RCMP Auxiliary members
Our community is strong. Thank you for your support.