After back-to-back record years for Kamloops Search and Rescue, the search team expects a busy 2019.

Spokesperson Jenn Stahn says trends like increasing tourism and increasing recreation are indicators.

“And with that, no doubt we tend to get more calls. Whether it’s missing people or injuries or what have you, there’s more people out there so odds are there’s going to be more people who need help.”

The search team recruited 11 new members in the fall, Stahn adds, and is now up to 47 members.

“So we’re definitely looking at constantly increasing our capacity with our membership. And there is a turnover as well, but we’re always adding new volunteers as well, but we’re always adding new volunteers into the group so we’ve always got some fresh blood and fresh energy that’s ready to get out there.”

In 2018, KSAR set a record spending 72 days in operation. The search team also responded to 42 call outs and logged about 3,500 task hours; those totals are not far off from records set in 2017 of 49 call outs and 3,550 task hours.