The Daily Press (MI

The Daily Press (MI Profile and History

"We maintain a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week call out arrangement and provide volunteers to support both rural and urban emergency response support. This is done by providing qualified members to search for lost or missing persons, or to assist with evidence searches. "We also assist the city and police with evacuations, such as in 2012 during the Timmins 9 fire. As well, we assist with the filling of sandbags during flood seasons." Timmins Porcupine Search and Rescue has agreements with the City of Timmins, Timmins Police Service, the Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board for EMS (emergency medical services). "These define our roles and responsibilities during searches and the sharing of resources," Dubeau-Lehto said. "We are also part of the City of Timmins' municipal emergency plan. "We also help EMS when help is needed for injured people who might be off the beaten path. We supported the Cochrane District EMS with the Stars and Thunder event two years in a row and in 2017 we logged in 136 man hours, while in 2018 we logged in 307 hours." In 2018, the EMS provided training and certification for eight of Timmins Porcupine Search and Rescue's members, who are now trained in emergency first response. Timmins-Porcupine Search and Rescue also assists the city with traffic control for the annual Santa Claus Parade, as well as many other events. "We support the Mattagami Region Conservation Authority during its annual hiking day, with demonstrations such as fire making, smoke signals and brush shelter preparation," Dubeau-Lehto said. "For the second year in a row, we are working closely with the Mattagami First Nation to assist during their annual pike derby (Saturday, March 9), providing volunteers to assist with patrolling, registration and first aid." Timmins-Porcupine Search and Rescue currently has 47 active members, 28 of whom are either search ready or at the qualified instructor level. "Getting to our need, we are in need of a safe, secure, weather-protected location to store our command unit, our trailer and equipment, such as our boat trailer and our rescue trailer," Dubeau-Lehto said. "It would be beneficial to have all of our equipment in one location to allow us to respond quicker when called upon by an emergency service. "We run a year-round operation and we have equipment for summer and winter. Keeping this equipment out of the elements, would reduce our maintenance costs. "Available storage would ensure all equipment is maintained, as needed, and always in a ready state. "We are also in need of a location where our members can meet and train. We typically hold monthly training sessions, which we call wisdom Wednesdays to keep our members up to the required standard. "We are requesting the mayor and council allow Timmins-Porcupine Search and Rescue to utilize property owned by the city. In September of 2017, when we first approached the mayor and council, we requested use of the Whitney Fire Hall once they had relocated to their new facility at Northern College. "The Whitney Fire Hall would fit our need. Specifically, the main entrance has large bay doors, which would allow our command unit easy access and our members would have the ability to maintain the equipment, as well. "Storing our vehicles and equipment in a heated, secure place would ensure quicker responses and functioning equipment. "Also, the upper level has a great space which would allow us to conduct training, hold our monthly meeting and store all of our files and date. "Lastly, the proximity to a wooded area would be great for field exercises and training. "If this property is not available, perhaps other properties might suit our needs." Timmins-Porcupine Search and Rescue's original 2017 presentation was accompanied by letters of the support from Timmins Police Service, the OPP, EMS and the Timmins Fire Department. Dubeau-Lehto suggested if the city is willing to consider the request, a working group could be established in order to turn it into a reality.