Two incidents in the past few weeks have me remembering how grateful we all should be to have such talented and dedicated emergency personnel on the Sunshine Coast — and many others who just step up when someone is in need.
On Sept. 15, 85-year-old Sechelt resident Andreas (Andy) Hansen went missing from his home. Immediately Sunshine Coast search and rescue volunteers were called out. Twenty volunteers from the Coast team along with their colleagues from Powell River, Lions Bay, Coquitlam, Surrey and the North Shore started searching the area around Hansen’s home where he was last reported. Search teams were joined by family, friends and concerned neighbours, with the search ending just after 3 a.m.
The search resumed later Tuesday and SAR volunteers found Hansen, who suffers from dementia, just 500 metres from his home in some deep brush. He was reported to be in good condition and was sent to hospital for observation.
This incident, which I can only imagine was a traumatic time for Mr. Hansen’s family and friends, had a happy outcome because of our SAR members.
These folks are your neighbours, work at your stores, attend your church, are members of this community — the difference is they put themselves in harm’s way at a moment’s notice to help someone else in need.
Over the years on the Sunshine Coast and when I was assistant editor at our sister newspaper the Squamish Chief, I had many encounters with SAR volunteers. I’ve seen firsthand what conditions they tackle. Where would we be in this community without such a dedicated team?
Then just a few days later a Sechelt family saw their lives turned upside down when fire ripped apart their home leaving them literally with just the clothes on their back.
Firefighters from Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay and Roberts Creek were all called out, and despite their best efforts, when they arrived on scene, the home was lost. Thankfully they were able to contain the blaze in a heavily wooded area, ensuring that we did not have a major forest fire and saving homes on either side. Again I ask: where would we be in this community without the volunteer members from all of our Coastal fire departments? They respond 24/7/365 up and down the Coast to accident scenes, house fires and any other emergency, leaving their own families, putting their lives on the line in service to our community.
Next week, Coast Reporter presents our annual salute to firefighters in our Fire Prevention Week section. It’s our way to say thanks to these amazing men and women. Be sure to thank them too when you see them out and about.
And speaking of thanks, I want to offer my appreciation to the many community members who, when they heard about the Richardson family and their loss, donated clothes, furniture and everything in between. It’s amazing what a great community we live in. When someone is in need, so many people come to the rescue.
