Search, Rescue & Emergency Support Services Award – Presented by PELICAN

Since 1957, the Amwell Valley Ambulance Corps (AVAC) has been the cornerstone of Amwell Valley’s emergency medical services, proudly serving thousands in East Amwell, West Amwell and Delaware townships. AVAC provides free emergency medical care, made possible by an all-volunteer organization supported by the generosity of the community. With a fleet of just two ambulances and an SUV (towing an enclosed rehab/communications trailer and a UTV for off-road rescues), supported by their squad of volunteer EMTs and teens in the Cadet Program, AVAC responds to a wide range of calls and travels to remote corners of Amwell Valley to ensure everyone can access reliable, efficient care in their time of need. AVAC is very active in the community and can be found standing by at events for the public and local PreK-8 school, spreading awareness about their services and protecting the place they call home.

Boulder Emergency Squad (BES) is an all-volunteer, professionally trained technical search and rescue and wildland firefighting team serving Boulder County, Colorado. Since 1963, BES has filled critical gaps in emergency response by providing specialized services not covered by traditional fire or law enforcement agencies. The team works closely with the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office and provides mutual aid to more than 25 local agencies. As the county’s primary water rescue, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and wide-area search team, BES plays a vital role in the region’s collaborative emergency response system. The team responds to a wide range of incidents, including missing person searches, wildland fires, water and ice rescues, vehicle and aircraft accidents and natural disasters. Most BES calls occur in mountainous, canyon and wilderness areas, where reliable, all-terrain vehicles are crucial for effective rescue operations. Currently, three of BES’s emergency response vehicles are over 20 years old and urgently need replacement.

Chilliwack Search and Rescue is a 100% volunteer organization located in one of the busiest outdoor recreational areas in Canada with a mission to provide lifesaving services to those who need it, 24/7, 365 days a year in areas where traditional emergency services can’t go. Located one hour east of Vancouver with an area covering 1100 sq.km, which includes rugged, 8000 ft mountains, white water rivers, lakes and endless backcountry wilderness - Chilliwack is a destination for those seeking easily accessible, world class outdoor adventure. Rapid population growth in recent years along with increasing recognition for mountain biking, fishing, hiking, mountaineering and white-water rafting bring an ever-increasing number of thrill-seeking tourists that results in over 100 search and rescue call outs each year. Approximately 40 active members are highly trained and ready to respond to ground searches, rope rescues, helicopter long line extractions, mountain rescue, swift-water rescue, avalanche incidents and broader emergencies in the Chilliwack area and beyond.

Pemberton Search and Rescue (PEMSAR) provides emergency services for Pemberton, BC and surrounding areas. The team is run by committed volunteers who are trained and equipped to work on both land and water search and rescue. PEMSAR is always prepared to aid and assist in difficult scenarios. Volunteers are always on standby and ready to respond. With a passion for helping others, Pemberton Search and Rescue truly embodies the ideal of community service.

The mission at Sunshine Coast Search and Rescue is simple: to save lives and build a safer outdoor culture through education and outreach. A 100% volunteer-led organization serving the remote and rugged terrain of British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast, the organization is on call 24/7, 365 days a year, responding to emergencies involving lost hikers, injured adventurers and missing persons often in areas inaccessible to standard vehicles. The Sunshine Coast SAR volunteers train year-round in disciplines such as rope rescue, first aid, K9 and drone operations, avalanche response, navigation, tracking and swiftwater rescue. In a region cut off from the mainland, Sunshine Coast SAR is a vital lifeline‚ dedicated to protecting the growing community with preparedness, skill, and compassion.