When dusk drapes Revelstoke’s backcountry in quiet, every minute saved counts for someone lost in the trees or snow. A new drone program led by Revelstoke Search and Rescue (REVSAR) is expanding 24-7 aerial support across the Shuswap, turning a niche tech test into a regional emergency tool.

Regional emergency drones drive Revelstoke SAR expansion

What began as a fundraising push last summer has grown into a planned fleet that partners with the Revelstoke Hospital Auxiliary Society, Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing and Eagle Pass Heli, among others. The group raised around $35,000 to acquire a DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Thermal (M3T), a compact drone with thermal imaging, live video, and roughly 45 minutes of flight time per charge.

In October, seven REVSAR members completed advanced drone pilot certificates through Transport Canada, logging about 50 hours of training and flight reviews to operate the new platform safely. With a provincial policy change approved last winter to allow SAR crews to integrate drones into operations, the Revelstoke team is now rolling out a region-wide deployment model that reaches Shuswap Volunteer Search and Rescue and other groups.

The plan covers communities from Blue Lake south of Craigellachie and Queest Mountain north of Malakwa, through Sicamous to Fly Hill west of Salmon Arm. Drones supplement helicopters, especially when weather or nighttime conditions limit rotorcraft use; a drone can operate at night with thermal imaging, while helicopters require visibility and can be riskier in treacherous terrain.

For responders, the added aerial data means faster localization of missing people, better route planning for ground teams, and safer missions for volunteers. Drones also help in avalanche risk assessment and searches through dense forests where ground teams struggle to reach quickly.

Coordination is key. REVSAR works with the BC Snowmobile Federation (BCSF) and Transport Canada to align training, flight protocols, and mutual aid. The effort signals a broader shift: drones are moving from niche tech to a core emergency-management tool in Canada. In Revelstoke, donors and agencies illustrate a community-backed model that many regional SAR programs are adopting to fund, train, and scale drone capabilities.

According to Vernon Morning Star, the initiative marks a practical policy translation of last winter’s regulatory update, which cleared the way for SAR units to utilize drones in routine operations. The outlet notes that the region’s plan will rely on a mix of volunteers and professional partners to extend aerial support when needed and ensures ongoing training and maintenance to keep crews ready for rapid deployment.

Drone capabilities and training

The M3T carries a thermal camera to detect people in darkness, plus a high-resolution visible camera for precise searches. Endurance is about 45 minutes under typical conditions, and the system supports mapping terrain and tracking movement in real time. The seven REVSAR pilots trained under Transport Canada guidelines, logging 50 hours of coursework and flight reviews to ensure safe, mission-ready operations.

Regional reach and impact

Expanding across the Shuswap means coverage from Blue Lake to Fly Hill, enabling joint operations with Shuswap Volunteer Search and Rescue and other groups. It supports rapid aerial search in remote zones and enhances situational awareness for on-ground teams during wildland fires, rescues, and medical emergencies, improving response times for residents and visitors alike.

Policy context and funding

The funding mix shows how community-led philanthropy can scale essential technology. Donors spanning hospitals, resorts, and heli-ski operators underpin the program, while Transport Canada certification shows regulatory alignment. The provincial Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness approval signals that drones are now a sanctioned, valuable asset in rural emergency response.

Conclusion

Revelstoke’s experience illustrates a broader trend: drones are no longer a novelty in disaster and rescue work. When regional SAR programs invest in trained pilots, local donors, and cross-agency coordination, regional emergency drones become a reliable, cost-effective complement to traditional tools. For residents across the Shuswap, the prospect of faster, safer rescues is real—and it sets a model other communities may follow as regulatory support solidifies and drone tech advances further.