Some BC Search and Rescue teams accuse government ministry of bullying, misuse of authority and more
BRITISH COLUMBIA — Five of the current 78 Search and Rescue teams in the province have taken aim at the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness.
They allege the government ministry has ignored significant safety concerns, bullied, intimidated and threatened search and rescue volunteers, ignored advancements in technology and say sexist behaviour by EMCR staff-approved trainers were not taken seriously.
In a letter signed by search and rescue team members in Whistler, Squamish, Houston, Fort St. James, Prince Rupert and by Dwight Yochim, the former CEO of BC Search and Rescue, they say its critical the government act quickly to correct its relationship with the search and rescue community.
In the six page letter addressed to Premier David Eby, they allege the ministry of EMCR ignored and did not disclose significant safety concerns found in a training audit.