Cochrane Search and Rescue (SAR) will be staging a mock emergency search this Saturday as part of Emergency Preparedness Week, reinforcing the importance of being ready for real-world disasters.
"We’ll be running a training scenario somewhere in town," says Robert Wambold, head of the search manager and drone sections with Cochrane SAR . "It helps our newer search managers and team members gain real experience."
Emergency Preparedness Week kicked off with volunteers going door to door in Sunset Ridge, handing out information on how to be ready in the event of a disaster.
"It's about educating people on how to evacuate effectively and safely," says Kyle Blondeau, a searcher and one of the group's tasking agency liaisons. "The basics like knowing your routes out of town, where your documents are and having a plan with your family."
“From wildfires to extreme weather or rail incidents, there are a lot of potential hazards that could lead to evacuations,” says Wambold.
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Cochrane SAR is a volunteer-run organization with around 90 members. The team responds to missing persons calls, provides public education, and supports events throughout Cochrane and the surrounding area.
“We’re on call 24/7, 365 days a year,” says Blondeau. “From Kananaskis to Canmore to Cochrane, we’re the go-to team when someone is lost.”
The team is also on standby for the May long weekend and during the G7 summit, ensuring they can respond within 45 minutes if needed.
“We work closely with the RCMP and maintain a roster of available members to ensure we can launch a response team quickly,” says Wambold.
As Emergency Preparedness Week wraps up, the message is clear: have a plan, know your risks, and get involved.
“Preparedness isn’t just about you, it helps the entire community respond more effectively,” says Wambold.