Search and rescue group looking for municipal support

YORKTON - Parkland Search and Rescue were at the regular meeting of Yorkton Council hoping for some financial help for the organization. 

Organized locally in 2015, the group now has 23 volunteer members involved in search and rescue, said president Dale Hintz. 

“Typically we’re activated by RCMP,” he said, adding they tend to work within 150 kilometres of Yorkton, “but can and have been dispatched across the province.” 

While searching for missing people is a primary focus, so too is education, often focused on youth, added Hintz. 

“To change a culture you start with youth,” he said. 

While operating for a number of years, Hintz said the group does face challenges, including funding, adding they receive only some insurance help from the province. 

So when they needed a truck to pull their command trailer they raised $22,000 through donations. 

Now they hope to find a place they can park the truck and trailer in a heated shop. 

In that request the city could not help Monday. 

“There’s no room,” said City Manager Lonnie Kaal, noting the fire hall bays are full, and there is no other heated shop area available. 

Hintz was also looking for some annual funding from the city, money he said he hoped would help other area municipalities to pledge dollars. 

In that regard Council did approve $5,000 to be an annual grant.