**** Via Halifax SAR
Halifax Search and Rescue, Eastern Shore Ground Search and Rescue, and Sheet Harbour Ground Search and Rescue, have equipped their members with new, high-performance protective jackets, made possible through funding provided by the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM). The new jackets will replace outerwear that has been used by Halifax Search and Rescue volunteers for over a decade and will be a new piece of equipment for other teams. Engineered for demanding field conditions, the new gear is windproof, waterproof, and breathable, offering critical protection for volunteers working in severe weather and challenging environments.
The three participating HRM teams coordinated with East Hants Ground Search and Rescue, and the Prince Edward Island Ground Search and Rescue, in a coordinated purchase of more than 460 jackets. By pooling their requirements, the participating teams maximized their purchasing power to secure consistent, high-quality protective equipment at a lower cost.
This joint initiative also creates a standardized appearance for GSAR volunteers across the region, making it easier for the public and partner agencies to identify them quickly during an emergency.
Halifax Search and Rescue also received a $30,000 Provincial Emergency Services Providers Fund grant in 2025 which helped fund a new thermal liner for the hardshell jackets. East Hants Ground Search and Rescue also received a $30,000 Provincial Emergency Services Providers Fund (ESPF) grant in 2025, which facilitated their purchase. Valley Search and Rescue and Colchester Ground Search and Rescue Association will be adding an additional over 200 units to the order this year, with funding provided through the 2026 ESPF grant stream.
“Our volunteers respond in every season and often spend long hours working in cold, wet, and unpredictable conditions,” said Paul Service, Chief Director of Halifax Search and Rescue. “This funding helps ensure they have dependable protective equipment when they are searching for someone who needs help. We are tremendously grateful to the Halifax Regional Municipality and Nova Scotia Emergency Management for supporting the safety and readiness of our volunteers.”
This bulk purchase highlights the value of collaboration among ground search and rescue organizations in the province. By working together, teams improve equipment consistency and interoperability while ensuring their volunteers have gear suited to the harsh maritime conditions they face.
