Winnipeg Search and Rescue Assists Military in Exercise Spirit Way 2014

September 25, 2014

Over a douzen experienced search and rescue volunteers from Winnipeg Search and Rescue recently made the trip to Thompson Manitoba to assist reserve soldiers, members from 38 Canadian Group in a training exercise.

Exercise Spirit Way 2014, which ran from Aug. 22-27 about 60 kilometres west of Thompson, included members of the Arctic Response Company Group (ARCG), the Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC), the Canadian Rangers and Search and Rescue Manitoba in a ground search and rescue simulating lost hikers and a plane crash.

“Exercises, such as Ex Spirit Way 14, ensure the members of the Canadian Forces are prepared to work with provincial and other agencies when called upon by the province, when protecting life and property of Manitobans. They need to set up communications and living conditions that can sustain a multi-day search operation without the use of town resources.” said a press release about the event.

The military members worked closely with volunteers from Winnipeg Search and Rescue (part of Search and Rescue Manitoiba) and the Office of the Fire Commissioner and will receive basic ground search and rescue qualifications.

For more information about becoming a volunteer with Search and Rescue Manitoba or Winnipeg Search and rescue, visit searchandrescuevolunteer.ca.