N.B. search and rescue volunteer organization looking to replace command post vehicle

FREDERICTON – A volunteer organization that is dedicated to coming to the aid of others in need, received a large donation this week, but they need more.

The York Sunbury Ground Search and Rescue crew received $10,000 from 100 Men Who Care Fredericton, after they gave a presentation explaining to the men what the money was going towards.

“I mean, a vehicle like this with the equipment that we need to install, the wiring, the air conditioning, it’s basically an office on wheels that’s rugged-ized, able to go into some pretty harsh terrain,” said Kevin Wilson, a member of the rescue group.

“A vehicle like this is over a couple hundred grand.”

Wilson is speaking of the rescue group’s command post. It’s the hub of any search and rescue mission: fully stocked with equipment, and it gives organizers a place to plan a search.

But York Sunbury’s command post has seen its share of rescue missions and the group would like to replace it.

Last week, the vehicle was online for almost a week straight, searching for a missing Bear Island man. Earlier this summer, the vehicle was employed to search for missing canoeists.

READ MORE: ‘We just want to be with Kevin’: N.B. man found after 5 days in the woods

“There’s some very long days where you go out and then you come back and you’re wet and you’re cold and then you’ll see the family when you find the subject and they’re so relieved, and so grateful to us and it makes it completely worth it,” searcher Andrew Lovesey said.

The group has begun saving up, and expect it will take months – even years – to raise enough money to replace the vehicle.

But say they’re off to a good start, with the donation this week.

“That is going to provide a major stepping stone for us to be able to start this project and be able to get it moving,” Lovesey said.

READ MORE: RCMP continue search for 41-year-old man from Bear Island, N.B.