West Hants Ground Search and Rescue (WHGSAR) is a registered charity and non-profit organization powered by more than 40 dedicated volunteers. In recent years, our team has grown not only in numbers but by broadening our capabilities, upgrading our gear, and improving how we serve West Hants and surrounding regions.

While our primary function remains assisting in lost and missing person incidents, our role within the community continues to evolve. We now take part in a wide range of local initiatives, including:

- Community events such as the Canada Day Parade, the Parade of Lights, and Garlic Fest

- Supporting emergency operations in evacuations and completing wellness checks during severe weather

- Providing peace of mind to individuals and their families through programs like Project Lifesaver

- Offering outdoor safety education through AdventureSmart and other public outreach efforts

We receive funding from municipal and provincial sources that is primarily applied to operational costs, but the majority of our improvements are made possible through community donations and fundraising.

Thanks to that support, we’re able to stay ready and effective. Feedback and experience from real-world responses help guide our resource investments for the greatest impact. Examples of recent team investments include:

- A new communications mast to boost field communication capabilities

- Enhancements to our comfort trailer to better support search operations on site

- Replacement of aging gear, such as expired personal flotation devices and a team truck

- The purchase of a team van, expanding our transportation capabilities for both personnel and equipment

We are deeply thankful for the continued generosity of the West Hants community and its local businesses. Your support ensures we’re ready whenever we are needed, for whatever the tasking may be.