A dedicated husband and wife team were the last two members of the Keremeos ground search and rescue crew, who had to make the decision to close down the group this week.
According to a press release from the BC Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA), the husband and wife team, Rose Koehler and Darrell Taylor, that had been involved with Keremeos SAR since its restart in 2009 were finding it impossible to recruit enough members.
“We live in an area with a high number of retired people and, those who are not retired, are often very busy with work responsibilities and family life,” Koehler said. “Being a search and rescue volunteer typically means a significant commitment in time and energy.”
Koehler and Taylor said the decision to close down was “gut-wrenching” but they assure Keremeos and area residents that other SAR teams can respond quickly.
“Some of them can be here in 10 minutes,” Koehler added.
Search and rescue calls for Keremeos and its surrounding area will now be covered by the closest SAR group – either Penticton, Oliver/Osoyoos or Princeton – depending on where the incident occurs.
