With the support of the local London Drugs, Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue (CVGSAR) has upgraded its GPS and mapping and tracking capabilities, making it one of the most technologically advanced teams on Vancouver Island.
CVGSAR was looking to purchase 15 new handheld GPS devices, two SPOT satellite tracking units, as well as a touch-screen computer monitor, to complete its computer tracking and mapping upgrade program.
"When approached with our requirements, the staff at Courtenay's London Drugs bent over backwards to assist us," commented Paul Berry, CVGSAR president. "They did their research, sharpened their pencils and provided the best possible pricing for this major team purchase. On top of that, they donated three of the Garmin GPS units, allowing us to stretch our hard-earned funds
farther than ever imagined. The pricing of the equipment was so competitive that 10 CVGSAR members also jumped on board to purchase their own GPS units."
CVGSAR now possesses radios that automatically track the whereabouts of each team and vehicle.
The new GPS units will augment this capability, improve team navigation and allow individual members' routes to be documented as part of the chain of evidence required in today鈥檚 complex search operations.
"As a solely volunteer organization that commits over 12,000 hours of community service annually," added Berry, "we virtually raise all of our own funds, including funding for equipment purchases. We cannot thank the staff of London Drugs enough for their enthusiasm and support of this project."
鈥� Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue
