I am the president of Red Deer Search and Rescue. I would like to respond to the front page article on Oct. 21 titled Insurance SOS.
Please understand that any comments made in that article are not comments from your local search team.
Red Deer Search and Rescue has always, and will continue, to have insurance. In no way, shape or form are we even considering withholding services until the government pays our insurance.
Our insurance is paid from fundraising dollars. Red Deer citizens, and those in surrounding areas, have supported RDSAR since 1996 when it was formed. Those monies have been put towards equipment, insurance, vehicles and SAR related expenses since day one and will continue to be.
Red Deer Search and Rescue was formed by a group of dedicated individuals who simply wanted to help people who needed it. The team has expanded their skills into numerous areas but the vision is the exact same and will continue to be. Should the government ever want to assist us financially more than they do, great, but we will continue to serve Central Alberta as we have for the past 13 years and continue to hold true to our motto, ‘this we do . . . that others may live.’
Bev Sliger
President
Red Deer Search and Rescue