What Coquitlam Search and Rescue does

Coquitlam Search and Rescue (legal name: Coquitlam Search and Rescue Society) is a registered charitable society and all-volunteer ground search and rescue organization operating in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. Founded in the early-to-mid 1970s and headquartered at the Town Centre Fire Hall in Coquitlam (1300 Pinetree Way), the team is tasked exclusively through RCMP and local police agencies and provides 24/7/365 response coverage across the Tri-Cities area (Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore, Belcarra), with mutual aid across BC. Its technical capability stack centres on a purpose-built fleet: a Ford F650-based Mobile Command Centre (Coquitlam 1) with multi-room operations, satellite/LTE communications, and custom operations software; secondary command/equipment vehicles (Coquitlam 2 and Coquitlam 4); a 23-foot aluminum shallow-water jet rescue boat (Coquitlam 3); and a track-equipped Honda Pioneer UTV (Coquitlam 5). Specialised rescue methods include HETS/long-line helicopter extraction, swift water rescue, rope rescue, avalanche response, and tracking, supported by a co-located digital radio repeater on Mount Seymour that enables GPS tracking of field teams.

The organization is monetarily a non-profit: rescue services are delivered free of charge to the public, with active search operational costs reimbursed by the Province of British Columbia. Funding for equipment, training, and programs comes from a diversified mix including individual donations (online via CanadaHelps.org and mail), government and foundation grants (Emergency Management BC, Coquitlam Foundation endowment established 2003, Spirit of Coquitlam Grant, Port Moody/Port Coquitlam foundations), corporate sponsorships (Arctiaryx, Microsoft, CPKC, Canadian Tire, FortisBC, TELUS, TB Vets, Rotary Club of Coquitlam Sunrise, and others), cause-related marketing (Donate a Car Canada vehicle program), and modest product sales (Outdoor Survival Kits and Coast Ropes upcycled dog-toy fundraisers). Volunteer recruitment runs on a roughly two-year cycle, with members completing EMRG 1703 and 80+ hours of initial SAR training plus 200-300 hours of annual service and ~300 hours of ongoing training. Non-core offerings include the Hug-a-Tree youth wilderness safety program and broader wilderness education (Ten Essentials, trip planning, hypothermia, cell-phone limitations).

Name

Coquitlam Search and Rescue

Legal name

Coquitlam Search and Rescue Society

Website

https://coquitlam-sar.bc.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Coquitlam Search and Rescue is an all-volunteer, registered charitable society providing 24/7/365 ground search and rescue services to backcountry users in British Columbia's Tri-Cities, funded by government grants, donations, and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Search and Rescue Services

NAICS

Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Individual and Family Services (6241), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Emergency Response & Search-and-Rescue (SAR) (BPAGAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Disaster Response & Search and Rescue (SAR) (BPADADAA)

Keywords

• Volunteer search rescue
• Wilderness safety education
• Helicopter long line rescue
• Swift water rescue
• Backcountry emergency response

Headquarters

HQ city

Coquitlam

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations: Charitable donations from individuals and corporations. Online donations processed via CanadaHelps.org with automatic tax receipt issuance. Mail-in donations with receipts issued for amounts over $25.
2. Grants: Funding from government grants (Province of BC, Emergency Management BC), community foundations, and special purpose grants for equipment and training.
3. Corporate Sponsorship: Support from corporate sponsors including government sponsors, community foundations, corporate sponsors, and vehicle sponsors. Includes in-kind donations and cause-related marketing partnerships.
4. Product Sales: Sale of outdoor survival kits (minimum $20 donation secures kit valued at $60+) and upcycled dog toys made from retired rescue ropes. Proceeds fund programs, services, gear, supplies, and volunteer training.
5. Cause Related Marketing: Partner programs including vehicle donations through Donate a Car Canada. Companies create special promotions or donate portion of sales to support SAR.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Coquitlam Search and Rescue is a volunteer charitable organization that provides free 24/7/365 search and rescue services for lost, missing, or injured persons in the backcountry of British Columbia, activated by RCMP and local police tasking agencies. The organization supplements its rescue operations with wilderness safety education programs (Hug-a-Tree for children, Ten Essentials, Trip Planning, Hypothermia), SAR training programs, and fundraising product sales (Outdoor Survival Kits and Upcycled Dog Toys).

Product overview

Coquitlam Search and Rescue is a charitable volunteer organization providing search and rescue services to the Province of British Columbia. The organization operates as a unified service with multiple supporting programs and specialized equipment. Core services include emergency SAR operations activated by RCMP/police. Supporting programs include the Hug-a-Tree wilderness safety education program for children, wilderness education courses (Ten Essentials, Trip Planning, Cell Phones and Rescue, Hypothermia), Outdoor Survival Kit sales, and Upcycled Dog Toys fundraisers. The organization maintains a fleet of specialized rescue vehicles including the Mobile Command Centre (Coquitlam 1), Mobile Equipment Vehicle (Coquitlam 2), Rescue Boat (Coquitlam 3), 4x4 Rescue Truck (Coquitlam 4), and Honda Pioneer UTV (Coquitlam 5). All programs are funded through donations, grants, and community support with no public API offered.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Search and Rescue Services Volunteer ground search and rescue operations for lost, missing, or injured people in the backcountry of British Columbia. Activated by RCMP or local police; operates 24/7/365 with trained volunteers. Free to the public.
• Hug-a-Tree Program Wilderness survival education program for children ages 5-12, teaching them how not to get lost and what to do if they become lost in the woods. Presented free to Cub, Scout, Sparks, and Guide groups and at community events.
• Outdoor Survival Kit Starter essentials kit sold for minimum $20 donation (valued at $60+); supports programs, services, gear, supplies, and volunteer training. Distributed via Google Forms order with pickup Tuesday evenings 6-7 PM.
• Upcycled Dog Toys Retired rescue and climbing ropes upcycled into dog toys and leashes; fundraiser sold through Coast Ropes (online and Burnaby store), Good Dog Daycare (Port Moody and Port Coquitlam), and direct email orders. Proceeds support SAR programs.
• Wilderness Education Programs Public education on wilderness safety including Ten Essentials, Trip Planning, Cell Phones and Rescue, Hypothermia, and SAR Myths. Delivered through community events, presentations, and website content.
• SAR Training Programs Comprehensive volunteer training including Ground Search and Rescue (80 hours), Rope Rescue, Water/Boat Operations, Swift Water Rescue, Avalanche Response, Mountain Rescue, Tracking, First Aid, and Helicopter Rescue (HETS/Long Line). Delivered to Coquitlam SAR members.
• Coquitlam 1: Mobile Command Centre 2015 Ford F650 Diesel mobile command center with custom aluminum interlocking panel box built by Intercontinental Truck Body; serves as nerve center for searches with operations, utility, and planning rooms; equipped with VHF/UHF radios, satellite phone, GPS tracking, VoIP phone system, LTE smart hubs, and custom software.
• Coquitlam 2: Mobile Equipment Vehicle 2001 Ford F350 4x4 secondary command post and utility vehicle; used for off-road transportation of searchers and equipment; tows Coquitlam 3 and Coquitlam 4; equipped with VHF/UHF radios, satellite/cell with roof-mounted antenna, GPS.
• Coquitlam 3: Rescue Boat 23' Aluminum Shallow Water River/Lake/Ocean boat with 490 HP Kodiak Jet Drive; used as dive platform, transportation vehicle, and search platform on Pitt River, Pitt Lake, Fraser River; equipped with marine/VHF radios, radar/sonar.
• Coquitlam 4: 4x4 Rescue and Tow Vehicle Ford F350 SRW pickup outfitted as personnel and equipment transportation and rescue truck; equipped with recovery winch, bumpers, off-road tires; tows Coquitlam 3 and Coquitlam 5.
• Coquitlam 5: Honda Pioneer UTV Honda Pioneer 1000-5 Side-by-side UTV commissioned December 2016; designed for Eagle Ridge and Burke Mountain terrain access; equipped with hybrid roof/door system, tracks for winter, heater, winch, lighting.

Quantifiable outcome

• Rescues performed free of charge to subjects
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• North Shore RescuecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2018Co-located repeater infrastructure on Mount Seymour. Shares infrastructure with EHS and North Shore Rescue repeaters. Assisted with HETS training and operations.
• BC Emergency Health ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2018Co-located digital radio repeater infrastructure. Tasking agency for SAR activations.
• Talon HelicopterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides helicopter support for rescues, including HETS (long line) operations. Flown in for Burke Mountain rescues, water rescues, and mutual aid with other SAR teams. Essential partner for accessing remote terrain.
• Donate a Car CanadaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVehicle donation program accepting cars, trucks, RVs, boats, and motorcycles for Coquitlam SAR. Free towing provided across Canada. Vehicles recycled or sold at auction with proceeds supporting SAR.
• Coast RopesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUpcycles retired rescue rope from Coquitlam SAR into dog toys and leashes. Products sold online and in-store with proceeds going to SAR.
• Intercontinental Truck BodycoreTechnology or IntegrationBuilt custom aluminum interlocking panel box module for Mobile Command Centre.
• BC Search and Rescue AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial association providing training standards, funding support, and coordination among 78+ SAR teams in BC.
• British Columbia Search and Rescue AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial association providing training standards, funding support, and coordination among 78+ SAR teams in BC.
• Surrey Search and RescueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided Transport Canada certified Masters course that Coquitlam SAR members attended.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• AdventureSmart: National program promoting outdoor safety and trip planning education through partner organizations including Coquitlam SAR. Adjacent peer operating in overlapping wilderness-safety education space, though narrower scope than a full SAR service.
• Canadian Avalanche Association: National organization setting standards for avalanche safety and rescue training in Canada. Adjacent peer covering overlapping avalanche response and backcountry safety training that Coquitlam SAR members participate in.

Broad incumbents

• Canadian Red Cross: National humanitarian organization providing disaster response, emergency relief, and wilderness/aquatic safety programs. Broader incumbent with overlapping emergency response and humanitarian aid mandate, but operates at national scale with paid staff versus Coquitlam SAR's volunteer regional model.
• St. John Ambulance (BC): Charitable organization providing first aid training, volunteer emergency response, and community safety programs across British Columbia. Comparable volunteer-driven emergency-services nonprofit with overlapping first-aid training and event-coverage offerings.
• BC Ambulance Service: Provincial ambulance and emergency health service that co-locates digital radio repeater infrastructure with Coquitlam SAR and acts as a tasking agency. Comparable emergency-response organization with overlapping backcountry medical mission and shared communications infrastructure.

Direct peers

• North Shore Rescue: Volunteer ground search and rescue organization serving Metro Vancouver's North Shore. Direct peer to Coquitlam SAR as both are BC volunteer SAR teams with shared digital repeater infrastructure on Mount Seymour and overlapping mutual-aid taskings.
• Surrey Search and Rescue: Volunteer SAR team serving Surrey and surrounding areas in the Lower Mainland. Direct peer that has provided Transport Canada Masters training to Coquitlam SAR members and operates the same volunteer/community-funded model.
• BC Search and Rescue Association: Provincial association coordinating 78+ volunteer SAR groups in British Columbia, including Coquitlam SAR. Provides training standards, funding support, and operational coordination; a strategic peer shaping the SAR ecosystem Coquitlam SAR operates within.
• Search and Rescue Society of British Columbia: Provincial body supporting volunteer ground SAR associations and Emergency Management BC coordination across the province. Functions as a strategic peer and funding conduit shaping Coquitlam SAR's operating environment.

Others

• Talon Helicopters: Helicopter operator providing HETS long-line and aerial support for Coquitlam SAR and other BC rescue teams. Ecosystem partner rather than direct competitor, but materially comparable as a specialized backcountry-aerial service provider.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CoquitlamSAR
• Facebookfacebook.com/CoquitlamSAR
• Instagraminstagram.com/coquitlamsar
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/coquitlam-search-and-rescue

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Coquitlam Search and Rescue