Search and rescue volunteers saved more than 200 people in Abbotsford during the catastrophic flooding in November.

The Central Fraser Valley Search and Rescue team (CFVSAR) mobilized quickly when it was announced that the pump station may not be able to handle the historic amount of rainfall in the region. It didn91裸聊视频檛, and within a matter of hours, the volunteers were out rescuing those who were stranded in the Sumas Prairie flood zone.

Putting in a dozen 12-hour operational periods 91裸聊视频� and organizing the mutual aid of seven other ground search and rescue groups 91裸聊视频� they actually lost count of the rescues. And they did this all while their own hall was under flood evacuation orders and they were relocated to the University of the Fraser Valley parking lot.

And for their 91裸聊视频渆xtraordinary effort,91裸聊视频� the CFVSAR has been awarded the inaugural by the B.C. Search and Rescue Association.

The award memorializes MacGregor, Canada91裸聊视频檚 most decorated soldier for valour. It also recognizes the 3,000 professional ground search and rescue volunteers in British Columbia Search and Rescue Association (BCSAR)

91裸聊视频淎s MacGregor did as a fearless leader in the First World War, these Search and Rescue volunteers often put themselves in harm91裸聊视频檚 way to selflessly save souls under extreme and dangerous conditions,91裸聊视频� said Chris Mushumanski, BCSARA president.

The award was established by John MacGregor Horne, who is named after MacGregor.

91裸聊视频淚 am confident would be pleased and honoured to know the association has decided to bestow the inaugural John MacGregor Memorial Award on all members of Central Fraser Valley SAR Team and the seven other ground search and rescue groups who performed above and beyond during the devastating flood disaster last fall91裸聊视频� Horne said. 91裸聊视频淚 congratulate and thank all of them for their magnificent efforts.91裸聊视频�

The award also includes a prize of $8,500 for the team. James Roe, president of CFVSAR, said that since the flooding the community has been very generous with donations to the team. They91裸聊视频檝e been able to repair equipment that was damaged, and are now even looking forward to replacing some equipment.

91裸聊视频淚t was a big test for us,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淲e hadn91裸聊视频檛 been faced with anything like that before, considering how quickly things evolved from going from telling people they needed to evacuate, to actually going in boats in a matter of hours.91裸聊视频�

He said the seven teams that helped them made a huge difference in their response, bringing in volunteers and equipment that made the rescue efforts a success.

So, they have forgone the financial award and passed it on to those teams: Coquitlam SAR, Ridge Meadows SAR, Mission SAR, Chilliwack SAR, Hope SAR, North Shore Rescue and South Fraser SAR.

91裸聊视频淲e wanted to, in some small way, show our thanks to our search and rescue members that came out to help,91裸聊视频� he said.

Moving forward, CFVSAR will be updating their training as well as equipment.

91裸聊视频淚t gave us a real world experience,91裸聊视频� he said, and the lessons they learned will be carried forward. 91裸聊视频淣ow we know what to do when this happens.91裸聊视频�

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jessica.peters@abbynews.com
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