ALBERTA, CANADA - Bev Sliger is President of Red Deer Search and Rescue, a non-profit organization founded in June of 1996 by a group of Candian outdoor enthusiasts an another of our Amazing People.

All members have the desire to contribute their skills for the benefit of those who have become lost or missing. Working in partnership with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and other volunteer search and rescue organizations in Alberta, the Team is ready to provide their volunteer services anywhere and at anytime.

We spoke with Bev, about how Red Deer use Decisions For Heroes (D4H):

Talking about meeting requirements.

"Red Deer Search and Rescue has looked for years for a program that met all of our administrative needs. How to track searchers, training, search event and the like. We have spent thousands of dollars in this venture. Then along comes Decisions for Heroes and it is perfect. The program performs very well and meets all our needs."

On customer service and engagement.

"Should we have a question or want to make a decisions we simply contact them and it is taken care of as fast as possible. We are very impressed by this technology. Also, it puts us in contact with search teams from all over the world by simply turning on the computer. It is an amazing company and we are very proud to have been one of the first in Canada to access it. Excellent job."

All members of Red Deer SAR take the Emergency Response Institute SAR Basic Skills Course as provided for by SAR Alberta. This 60-hour course is a standardized course covering search theory, the incident command system and basic survival. The Fundamentals course culminates in a multi-hour night search. Members also take an eight-hour navigation course together with Standard First Aid and Level B CPR.

Members of the Team can take training throughout the year with the Team. Participation in training exercises is essential to maintaining skill levels. After the basics, all members are encouraged to take such additional training as they see necessary. Some of the courses that can be arranged include mantracking, high-angle rescue and GPS proficiency. The Team encourages any member to learn those skills that are of interest to the member and may be of assistance in an emergency. Membership is between 50-70 people at all times and we are always on the lookout for potential searchers.

Red Deer's Technical Rescue/US&R Task Force component of the team specializes in High Angle, Confined Space, Collapsed Structure, and Swift Water Rescue. These highly skilled members continually train to maintain and upgrade their skills.