Major milestones in the history of SAR Global 1 – Ottawa Gatineau Volunteer Search and Rescue

1995 – A hunter named Christopher Brown, was lost near Otter Lake Quebec near Ottawa; 150 volunteers assist the Sûreté de Québec in the search; his remains are found in 1997.

1996 – Volunteers continue the search for Christopher Brown and begin to organize a volunteer group leading to the incorporation of SAR Global 1 that year.

1998 – SAR Global 1 assists MRC des Collines Police during Ice Storm.

2000 – SAR Global 1 assists MRC des Collines Police with search for a missing aircraft.

2001 – SAR Global 1 granted charitable income tax status.

2002 – SAR Global 1 receives a grant from the Wildlands Foundation to purchase first aid supplies.

2002 – First full Basic SAR training course based on Emergency Response Institute curriculum. 

2002 – SAR Global 1 adopts the “Hug-A-Tree” program into its Prevention Program for children.

2003 - SAR Global 1 volunteers assist Ottawa Police in search for Ardith Wood.

2003 – SAR Global 1 assists MRC des Collines Police in search for Pierre Despaties; subsequently the Ottawa Tennis and Lawn Bowling Club creates an annual Tennis tournament and donates proceeds to SAR Global 1.

2003 – SAR Global 1 receives a $27,000 grant from the Trillium Foundation primarily to conduct a range of training programs.

2005 – SAR Global 1 assists Ottawa Police in search for Jennifer Teague.

2007 – SAR Global 1 volunteers begin to help races organized by Sommersault Productions as fund raisers.

2008 – SAR Global 1 received a $15,000 grant from the Trillium Foundation primarily to purchase communications equipment. 

2008 – Basic SAR course is expanded to incorporate Ontario and Quebec material

          – SAR Global 1 begins SAREX exercises as culmination of Basic SAR Training courses.

2009 – First Winterman Marathon held in cooperation with Somersault Productions as a major fund raiser.

2009 – Rescue 1, the group’s first vehicle is purchased and outfitted as a command post.

2010 – SAR Global 1 members increasingly licensed as ham radio operators facilitating long-distance communications.

2011 – SAR Global 1 assists community of Sabrevois during Richelieu flood.

2012 – SAR Global 1 purchases new truck and command trailer to replace Rescue 1.