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含羞草研究社檙e hoping to bolster their numbers. Currently, there are 51 active members, but he said they含羞草研究社檙e hoping to get that up to about 60 to 65 in order to fulfill tasks.

含羞草研究社淲e含羞草研究社檙e 50 per cent above what our norms are. We含羞草研究社檝e had 90 calls this year, and we still have three months left,含羞草研究社� he said.

含羞草研究社淏ased on historical data, we get a bit of a lull for the next 30 days and things start taking off in December again.含羞草研究社�

But it含羞草研究社檚 not all about trekking in the dark, flying in helicopters or driving ATVs and snowmobiles to rescue people 含羞草研究社� it含羞草研究社檚 also about paperwork and a lot of training, Henczel said. He said applicants don含羞草研究社檛 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.

含羞草研究社淲e含羞草研究社檙e not looking for a Navy SEAL type of person, we含羞草研究社檙e just looking for well-rounded candidates. You don含羞草研究社檛 have to be super fit, but if you have a good level of first aid or you含羞草研究社檙e a navigator or you含羞草研究社檙e good with communications, you can help,含羞草研究社� he said.

含羞草研究社淲e含羞草研究社檙e looking for outdoor knowledge, ability to work in a team, and availability. It含羞草研究社檚 a time suck and things happen at weird hours. No one is ever reported missing on a Sunday afternoon. They usually say 含羞草研究社榠f I含羞草研究社檓 not back by dark, call someone含羞草研究社�, 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含羞草研究社檝e been out until 5 a.m. on Sunday, then that may work.含羞草研究社�

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

含羞草研究社淵ou cannot write too much on your application. If you含羞草研究社檝e got some skills, you含羞草研究社檙e a project manager, include that in your application,含羞草研究社� he said.

含羞草研究社淲e含羞草研究社檙e looking for a wide range of skills. It含羞草研究社檚 not all just being in the woods, so we含羞草研究社檇 rather have too much information in your application package.含羞草研究社�

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
Like us on and follow us on .