about

Comox Valley Search & Rescue has served the Comox Valley and surrounding areas for over 50 years. We are a volunteer search and rescue organization and a member of the British Columbia Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA), operating as part of the provincial SAR system.

Our team is made up of volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds who commit significant time to training, callouts, equipment maintenance, and community outreach.

We’re on a mission is to provide safe, professional, and effective search and rescue services for the Comox Valley, supported by education, collaboration, and community service. We are committed to responding 24/7 across rugged and varied terrain, working with partner agencies to locate, assist, and help people home, safely.

our mission

A helicopter flying in a snow-covered forest, with a person hanging from a cable beneath it.

Comox Valley Search and Rescue was founded in 1974 by a small group of local volunteers who saw a growing need for organized search and rescue services in the region’s rugged and remote terrain. What began as a grassroots effort has grown into a highly trained, professional volunteer organization serving the Comox Valley and surrounding areas.

In the early years, the team focused on building basic capabilities, developing procedures, and forming strong working relationships with emergency services and neighbouring SAR teams. As outdoor recreation increased and the region grew, so did the complexity and number of calls for assistance. Over time, the team expanded its skills, training, and equipment to meet the demands of increasingly diverse and technical rescue environments.

Through the decades, Comox Valley Search and Rescue has developed specialized capabilities including mountain rescue, rope rescue, swiftwater response, avalanche rescue, tracking, K-9 operations, and search management. Volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds, but all share a commitment to continuous training, teamwork, and community service.

In 2024, the team marked a major milestone — 50 years of service to the community. This anniversary was an opportunity to recognize the dedication of past and present volunteers, reflect on the organization’s history, and look ahead to the future. As part of this milestone, the team refreshed its branding to better reflect the full range of environments and operations it supports, while staying grounded in its original purpose.

Today, Comox Valley Search and Rescue is a team of over 60 active volunteers who respond to dozens of calls each year, locally and through mutual aid across Vancouver Island and British Columbia. Members train year-round and contribute thousands of volunteer hours to operations, training, public education, and community preparedness.

From its beginnings in 1974 to more than five decades of service today, Comox Valley Search and Rescue remains a volunteer-driven organization built on local knowledge, professionalism, and a simple commitment: to be there when people need help.

Our history

our values

We exist to help people in need across the Comox Valley and beyond. Every volunteer steps forward with a willingness to respond when called, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, regardless of weather, terrain, or time. Our priority is always supporting people in distress with professionalism, care, and urgency.
We are a 100% volunteer organization. Every hour spent on missions, training, education, and community outreach is donated by individuals who care deeply about the safety and well-being of others. Our volunteers bring diverse backgrounds and skills, but all share a commitment to giving back.
We are committed to excellence in everything we do. Through thorough and ongoing training, our members develop the skills and judgment needed to respond effectively in complex and demanding environments. We train to recognized standards and best practices so we can bring the right expertise to every task and every callout.
Search and rescue is built on teamwork. We rely on clear communication, mutual trust, and respect for one another’s roles and strengths. Whether in the field, during training, or supporting operations behind the scenes, we work together with a shared sense of responsibility and purpose.
Safety guides our decisions in the field and beyond. We prioritize careful planning, risk assessment, and preparedness to protect both the people we serve and our own team. We also believe in prevention through education, sharing knowledge that helps people make safer choices outdoors.