Search and rescue technology in the Fraser-Fort George Regional District may get a boost.
The District has received Search and Rescue (SAR) Society’s a request for just over $32,000 in funds to cover the purchase of 34 iPads for use by teams in Prince George, MacKenzie and the Robson Valley.
PG SAR Society President Ian Leach says the devices would help them save lives.
“Any tool that would allow us to be safer and to be more effective in terms of our subjects is a blessing for us.”
SAR teams in the District have been using iPads during operations for a year now. None have been lost or damaged, according to the Society. Mini iPads are used in field operations with full-size iPads being used at command centres.
Leach says the devices help teams work together when tackling large search areas and allow them to update maps as a search progresses.
“We’ve had a mapping team that’s been working on this project for about eight months. It’s been quite an intensive process because we are actually pioneering it in the sense that we’re taking the technology a bit further and building some infrastructure of our own,” says Leach. “We are looking at layering – a GIS system in which we are able to layer trails, roads and then overlay search areas on top of maps.”
17 ipads would be used by SAR teams in Prince George. The city boasts three teams consisting of 147 volunteers.
The report will come back to the board in April.
No decision has been made at this time.
** A previous version of this story indicated the Regional District granted the funding, whereas they actually just directed staff to find funding options