Dave Brewer is an Honorary Lifetime Member of the British Columbia Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA), recognized for his pioneering contributions to search and rescue in British Columbia. As a founding member of North Shore Rescue, one of the province’s oldest and busiest SAR groups, Dave established himself as a leader in the field. He served as British Columbia’s first Search and Rescue Coordinator (volunteer) and was instrumental in establishing the Provincial SAR Advisory Committee in 1989. Dave chaired this committee and later became BCSARA’s inaugural President (2003-2007). His dedication to improving SAR operations is evident through his development of the Search and Rescue Review Process, which identifies best practices and enhancements through incident analysis. Dave also championed the BC AdventureSmart public awareness program to reduce SAR incidents and served on the Search and Rescue Volunteer Association (SARVAC) board, advocating for SAR volunteers at the national level. Dave was awarded the Order of BC in 2019 for his volunteer work. His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment have significantly shaped search and rescue services throughout British Columbia.

Linda’s career with the Justice Institute of BC and her involvement with search and rescue spanned 30 years. Linda was an important fixture in the start and evolution of BCSARA and its predecessor, the SAR Advisory Committee. From her position in administration in the Emergency Management Division of the JIBC, she completed the admin duties for the committee and then the board, until retiring in 2011 in Victoria with Ron. Linda played a critical role in the development and delivery of the SAR review process with Dave Brewer. She was a friend to everyone that served on the advisory and board, and many others over the years. Linda was presented with the Public Safety Lifeline Volunteer Lifetime Achievement award by PEP in 2007 and appointed as an honorary lifetime member of BCSARA in 2015, in recognition of her dedication to search and rescue.

Don Bindon has been a cornerstone of the search and rescue community in British Columbia. A retired RCMP officer and former representative of ‘E’ Division on the Provincial Search and Rescue Advisory Committee, Don played a pivotal role in supporting Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) volunteers. His leadership during and after the 2003 interface fires led to the development of the province’s Evacuation Guidelines, which remain a vital resource for life-saving operations. As President of the British Columbia Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA), Don guided the organization through challenging times and championed the welfare of SAR volunteers. His recent work organizing the B.C. Search and Rescue Volunteer Memorial in 2017 further exemplifies his lifelong commitment to the SAR community. In recognition of his exceptional contributions, Don was awarded Honourary Lifetime Membership in BCSARA.

Chris started with Campbell River Search and Rescue in 1996, with the same drive he used in establishing several successful businesses. He embraced the role as a SAR volunteer being active operationally and later becoming president of the group. In 2006, Chris was elected as the North Vancouver Island representative on the British Columbia Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA) board and, from 2009 to 2014, he filled the position of secretary. In 2014, Chris was elected BCSARA president, leading the association through projects including obtaining new funding from the province of B.C. for SAR groups with a grant of $10 million in 2016, $5 million in 2017, $18.6 million in 2019 and, in 2022, an agreement announcing funding of $6 million annually for future years. As president of BCSARA, Chris was a driving force in the establishment of the British Columbia SAR Volunteer Memorial on the legislative grounds in Victoria, alongside memorials for police, firefighters, and paramedics. This tripartite project with PEP Air and the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR) was successful in having the memorial approved, installed and unveiled in less than two years. The memorial honors those volunteers who lost their lives in the line of duty and all that served. From Chris’s speech at the unveiling “It is our hope that many people will visit this memorial and understand the ultimate sacrifice of those listed, their families, friends and fellow volunteers; while recognizing the true service all search and rescue volunteers provide, and the support that they receive from families, employers and community.” Everyone is welcome to stop by the memorial and think of all the SAR volunteers who gave so much and asked so little, including Chris.

Chris is also memorialized in the Scroll of Service

Colin Wiebe’s decades-long contribution to the British Columbia SAR community is marked by service, leadership, and legacy. A former member of Central Fraser Valley Search and Rescue, Colin has served on the BCSARA board from 2006 to 2017, including eight impactful years as Vice-President. He continues to represent the SAR community through his role with the British Columbia Chief of Police Association. Among his many contributions is the creation of the BCSARA challenge coin initiative, honoring the association’s past, present, and future leaders. Colin’s enduring dedication exemplifies service to both SAR volunteers and the broader public safety community

Neil Brewer dedicated 35 years to Kent Harrison Search and Rescue, serving as their most experienced SAR Manager. A visionary leader, Neil secured the first SAR New Initiatives Fund project in BC (1993), coordinated complex provincial searches, and developed critical systems that continue to benefit rescue teams across British Columbia. His groundbreaking work on funding models secured over $10 million for SAR groups. Beyond his operational expertise, Neil led the development of the SAR Field Guide (2009), managed the RADeMS project (2012), and spearheaded the Data Management System (2016). His extraordinary contributions were recognized with numerous awards, including SAR Volunteer of the Year (2017), the Emergency Management Exemplary Service Award (2022), and the Freedom of the District of Kent Award (2025). Neil’s unwavering commitment to saving lives and supporting volunteers has left an indelible mark on search and rescue operations throughout the province.

Neil is also memorialized in the Scroll of Service

Jim McAllister’s legacy in British Columbia’s Search and Rescue (SAR) community is marked by visionary leadership, unwavering dedication, and lasting impact. Starting as a volunteer in the Kootenays, Jim went on to serve on the BCSARA Board and SAR Advisory Council, where he played a key role in securing sustainable provincial funding and advancing strategic initiatives. He was instrumental in revitalizing the BC SAR Liaison Committee, enhancing inter-agency coordination across jurisdictions. As the driving force behind the BC SAR Volunteer Memorial, unveiled in 2017 at the Legislature, Jim created a lasting tribute to SAR volunteers’ sacrifices. Even in retirement, he continues to serve through memorial events, SAR reviews, and as the author of three historical SAR books. His creation of the Years of Service pin program further exemplifies his deep commitment to recognizing volunteer contributions.