Dave Brewer’s leadership, vision and determination have contributed greatly to a B.C. ground search and rescue (SAR) system that is considered one of the most effective in the world.

A SAR volunteer since 1965 and a founding member of North Shore Rescue, Brewer has been involved in more than 600 SAR operations, devoted countless hours to teaching volunteers, and co-authored the first search management course in the province.

Brewer was appointed as the first volunteer provincial search and rescue coordinator and chaired the provincial search and rescue advisory committee from its formation in 1990 through 2003. He was named president of the B.C. Search and Rescue Association when it was created in 2004.

Brewer developed the SAR response review process and, as a volunteer, coordinated reviews of large and complex searches. The review process he designed remains in place today, having gained national recognition and being adopted for reviews of responses to other types of critical incidents.

Brewer was also a key, early supporter of AdventureSmart, the national education program for preventing SAR incidents among Canadians and visitors who take part in outdoor recreation. The program has reached hundreds of thousands of people since it started, reducing risk and saving lives. Agencies in other countries have frequently relied upon Brewer’s expertise. He has been a keynote speaker at the New Zealand Police Services’ annual conference. He did an audit and needs analysis for the New Zealand search and rescue operations and helped to set up their response review process.

Brewer acknowledges that no one goes from zero to hero without the support of many and recognizes the role of Linda West-Gaudet in making the vision of a well trained, effective and efficient British Columbia Volunteer Search and Rescue Service a reality.