(file photo/CHAT NEWS)

By Tiffany Goodwein

South Eastern Alberta Search And Rescue in need of donations and volunteers

Aug 23, 2021 | 5:17 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – They are there to support the public in the most dire of emergency situations, by providing assistance to first responders South Eastern Alberta Search and Rescue was most recently called out to help a six-year-old girl who went missing in Elkwater. The volunteer group has been in the city since 1999, and search manager, Delea Mapstone said they have responded to over a dozen calls this year alone.

“So we search for missing people. We have a command post and a plan for how we are going to search. We work with multiple agencies and coordinate the search effort with those agencies,” she said.

Members of the search group are required to spend numerous hours in training in order to prepare for search calls.

But the group has been hit financially, the past 18 months.

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“COVID-19 has really prevented us from doing our fundraising. In the past we usually rely on casino money to grant us operating funds,” Denise Thiessen said

The pandemic has also impacted their volunteer numbers, with some not going on searches in order to protect their family from the virus. But those who have volunteered said the experience is like none other.

“Not every search ends well. it can be very traumatic but it is just really uplifting when you can do your job, and it ends well it just really makes your day,” said Thiessen.

Lisa Carnelli knows the work the search group does first-hand. The group was called to look for her brother-in-law Tyrone Carnelli who went missing a year and a half ago.

“They had teams out. They were working with the RCMP, as well into the evening and they put a second crew out the next morning. It was search and rescue that put the plane in the air that was able to locate his vehicle and it was search and rescue that was on the ground and did find him,” Carnelli said.

Tragically Carnelli was found deceased in a snow-covered well.

Still mourning the loss of her brother-in-law, Carnelli hopes others in the community sees how important South Eastern Alberta Search and rescue is.

“You never know when you are going to need the services of search and rescue. You always hope that you will never have to use their services, I don’t know there are just not words to express your gratitude.”

Residents who wish to donate can do so on their website.