Revelstoke's volunteer rescue crews have found success probing funding for an unmanned aerial vehicle, which they hope to add to their arsenal this winter to help reach callers at night and in challenging terrain.
The DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Thermal (M3T) that Revelstoke Search and Rescue (REVSAR) seeks to buy would come equipped with a heat sensor and live camera feed capable of identifying people even in the dark, according to search and rescue manager Ren Bessette.
With this piece of technology in REVSAR's toolkit, "We can begin to search for someone even if we don't have a last-known point," she said. And if a person gets "cliffed out" in mountainous terrain, the drone can still access the area to pinpoint coordinates, or check whether the individual is conscious.
Along with being able to fly as far as 1.6 kilometres from the operator, Bessette said the M3T comes with multiple remotes that will allow REVSAR responders to hand off control as they carry out rescue operations.
DJI says these drones can run for up to 45 minutes, while operating a 640-by-512-pixel thermal camera with 56x zoom. They can also cover two square kilometres in a single flight.
Bessette said REVSAR has set a fundraising goal of $35,000 to have the drone in their hands by winter, when days shorten and rescue operations have less light to work with. The money not only finances the drone itself, but also training for at least two REVSAR volunteers on how to operate it.
B.C.'s Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness gave province-wide approval to SAR crews in January to add drones to its operations, Bessette said, and REVSAR has since already surpassed half its fundraising objective.
It posted earlier this week on social media about the Revelstoke Hospital Auxiliary Society and Eagle Pass Heli each pitching $5,000 for the drone. Bessette noted Revelstoke Mountain Resort has since pledged another $5,000, and Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing is considering contributing $5,000 as well.
"This vital tool will enhance our ability to locate lost individuals quickly and safely 香蕉视频直播� especially after dark or in difficult terrain," REVSAR wrote on Facebook. "Your support directly contributes to the safety of our community and our team."
REVSAR remains a fully volunteer-run operation with about 100 trained personnel, and still needs at least $15,000 to finance the new drone.
"We would love to have it for winter," Bessette said.
Community members wishing to pitch in can donate online at or by e-transfer to , and will receive a charitable receipt.