Queens Ground Search and Rescue needs volunteers to continue the service. (Rick Conrad photo)

By Rick Conrad

Queens Ground Search and Rescue has an “urgent” need for volunteers.

Brian Hatt, the group’s search manager, said Monday that they can use people in various areas, but the top priority now is for volunteer ground searchers.

“So we want to put our cards on the table and let everyone know that we really need volunteers to keep this thing going,” he said.

“We can’t afford to lose (this group). There’s no replacement. The only alternative to our service would be to bring people from outside, like Halifax, Lunenburg, Barrington. And that’s going to add time to a response which we can’t afford, especially this time of year.”

Queens Ground Search and Rescue has been offering its services in Queens and other counties for more than 50 years. They cover mostly south Queens and help RCMP, other police agencies and the Emergency Management officials with ground searches, evacuations and recovery efforts.

Hatt said they have about 20 volunteers in their search and fundraising teams. He said at one time, they had more than 50 volunteers.

The group provides all the training, everything from ground searching to drone piloting to first aid. Members also receive provincial and federal incentives, such as bonuses and tax benefits, he said. And volunteers are also given a special licence plate to identify them as members.

“But you choose the route you want to take in the team. … And you’re going to be part of a team that’s well received and recognized and really rewarding when you’re on a successful search and you bring someone home to their family.”

He said he’s optimistic there are people in Queens County who want to get involved.

“I think there are some people that have some time out there that would really fit in well and help us keep this valuable service going. And I know the general public really appreciate when we’re working for them to try to find somebody.”

Volunteers must be more than 16 years old and pass a background check with the RCMP. For more information, contact Brian Hatt at 902-350-1413 or by email at brianhatt@eastlink.ca .

Email: rickconradqccr@gmail.com

Listen to the news update for Jan. 15 below

Damage from vandals on the Trestle Trail Bridge. Photo Kathy Mack

Vandals damaged part of the newly completed Trestle Trail bridge in Liverpool over the weekend.

Queens Rails to Trails Association helps maintain the bridge and president Brian Hatt says a safety rail was kicked out from a viewing platform sometime Sunday evening.

“It’s the first incident we’ve experienced since we did the renovation or, restoration,” said Hatt.

Closed off and on over the past two years to allow for a complete rebuild of parts of the structure, the bridge just had interpretive panels installed in August.

The rebuild was made possible by the efforts of the Queens Rails to Trails Association, private donors as well as both the Region of Queens and provincial government.

The trail is well used by locals and tourists alike and Hatt is disappointed to see someone deliberately damage part of the bridge.

“It was engineered to be safe but I don’t know there’s anything you can build that will protect against vandalism,” said Hatt.

The damage was brought to the attention of Queens Rails to Trails Association and a member was out Monday making repairs.

Hatt says they will try to reinforce the  area so it can’t be broken so easily in the future.

He asks if anyone sees the bridge being damaged to call RCMP or contact him directly.

E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

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