Do you want to help save lives in and around the Okanagan?

The Central Okanagan Search and Rescue team (COSAR) may just have a spot for you. The volunteer-run team is recruiting new members, with an open house on Oct. 20 starting at 6 p.m.

COSAR spokesperson Ed Henczel said with the increase in calls for their help, they鈥檙e hoping to bolster their numbers. Currently, there are 51 active members, but he said they鈥檙e hoping to get that up to about 60 to 65 in order to fulfill tasks.

鈥淲e鈥檙e 50 per cent above what our norms are. We鈥檝e had 90 calls this year, and we still have three months left,鈥� he said.

鈥淏ased on historical data, we get a bit of a lull for the next 30 days and things start taking off in December again.鈥�

But it鈥檚 not all about trekking in the dark, flying in helicopters or driving ATVs and snowmobiles to rescue people 鈥� it鈥檚 also about paperwork and a lot of training, Henczel said. He said applicants don鈥檛 have to have everything and be able to do it all, but they do want to see well-rounded people apply to fill out the team.

鈥淲e鈥檙e not looking for a Navy SEAL type of person, we鈥檙e just looking for well-rounded candidates. You don鈥檛 have to be super fit, but if you have a good level of first aid or you鈥檙e a navigator or you鈥檙e good with communications, you can help,鈥� he said.

鈥淲e鈥檙e looking for outdoor knowledge, ability to work in a team, and availability. It鈥檚 a time suck and things happen at weird hours. No one is ever reported missing on a Sunday afternoon. They usually say 鈥榠f I鈥檓 not back by dark, call someone鈥�, so we get the call after dark. So if you have an understanding boss who can let you come in late on Monday morning after you鈥檝e been out until 5 a.m. on Sunday, then that may work.鈥�

Tonight鈥檚 open house will include a question and answer period at the team鈥檚 hall (4680 Old Vernon Road), followed by an evaluation hike and interviews.

鈥淵ou cannot write too much on your application. If you鈥檝e got some skills, you鈥檙e a project manager, include that in your application,鈥� he said.

鈥淲e鈥檙e looking for a wide range of skills. It鈥檚 not all just being in the woods, so we鈥檇 rather have too much information in your application package.鈥�

COSAR will be accepting applications until Oct. 31. More information can be found on and .

READ MORE: Late night rescue of teen lost in remote area of Penticton

twila.amato@blackpress.ca
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