Minister Praises Volunteer Searchers

Volunteer ground search and rescue members have once again made a huge contribution to public safety in our province, says the Minister of Emergency Management.

"I'm very proud of the volunteers who helped find a missing Ontario woman yesterday in woods near Hatchet Lake," Carolyn Bolivar-Getson said, today, May 30. "Family members have expressed their appreciation, and I want to thank the volunteer searchers who worked with law enforcement and community members on this successful search. We owe them a deep debt of gratitude."

There are 24 volunteer ground search and rescue teams in Nova Scotia with about 1,400 members.

"We work closely with our volunteer teams," added Craig MacLaughlan, CEO of the Emergency Management Office. "We appreciate their dedication to public safety, and their willingness to tackle very difficult work under stressful conditions."

The teams will soon have new satellite technology to assist with search administration and operations in efforts like the one Tuesday. The federal Search and Rescue New Initiative Fund has contributed $348,000 for the upgrade.

The Emergency Management Office is headquartered in Dartmouth, with regional offices in Sydney, Truro, Kentville and Lunenburg.