RCMP Salute their Volunteers during NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK April 19 to 25, 2009

British Columbia (“E” Division): “E” Division benefits from over 48,000 dedicated volunteers who proudly give their time and energy, working toward the shared goal of Safe Homes, Safe Communities. Our Volunteers are valued every day, and this year’s National Volunteer Week is occasion for the Commanding Officer of RCMP “E” Division, along with Detachment Commanders, Volunteer Managers and staff, to express their gratitude in recognition of RCMP Volunteers and their contributions awarded to our organization.

This year, RCMP “E” Division, Crime Prevention & Program Support Services launched the “Volunteers in Action” photo contest to coincide with National Volunteer Week. We want to showcase the diversity of duties our volunteers perform in communities throughout British Columbia. Our three winning photos indeed portray this diversity.
James Seeley and Trevor Sawchuck, volunteers with the South Cariboo Search and Rescue team, “in action” rescuing “Sheila,” a black lab who slipped off a canyon edge and plummeted 30 feet landing on a small ledge, where she remained for 5 hours before being rescued.

The RCMP work in partnership with the Search and Rescue (SAR) program and SAR volunteers in British Columbia respond to over 800 RCMP rescue calls annually; this exceeds the total number of rescue calls throughout Canada. This picture is illustrative of the “rope rescue” technique ; which is one of many specialized skills SAR utilizes.

The Speed Watch program is a partnership involving volunteer citizens, police and ICBC. It is designed to raise public awareness issues such as unsafe speed, dangerous driving, and helping to reduce speed-related crashes in communities throughout British Columbia. Pictured here, Vernon RCMP Speed Watch volunteers George Harrison and Debra Knol operating the “electronic speed reader board.”

The Citizens On Patrol (COP) primary function is to be an extra set of “eyes and ears.” Volunteers patrol their communities in an “observe and report” role assisting law enforcement aimed toward reduction of crime. Vernon RCMP further engages their Citizens On Patrol volunteers in other extraordinary roles as seen pictured here. Volunteers Debra Knol, George Harrison and Daryle Hrychany discuss evacuation strategies with S/Sgt. Len Carlson while participating in an “emergency preparedness” exercise simulating evacuation procedures during an interface fire.