Unlikely Destinations – Arrowsmith Ground Search & Rescue (SAR)

Ken Neden, SAR Manager of the Arrowsmith Search and Rescue Organization, spoke to a packed house on June 5, 2026. His presentation was engaging – full of historical facts and personal observations. He handled every question (and there were many) with the confidence of a person who has dedicated his life to SAR!

There could be no better person to tell the story of the volunteers who risk life and limb to help the lost or injured, day or night, 365 days a year. Ken’s father, Isaac, was a founding member of the SAR organization. Small wonder, then, that Ken signed up at the ripe age of 15, literally learning the ropes from his father. Fast-forward fifty years: Ken was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his significant contributions to the Oceanside community.

See below for some slides from Ken’s presentation.

Fifty years of change. Arrowsmith Ground SAR started as a handful of self-taught enthusiasts who with an annual budget of $15,000 cobbled together some equipment and responded to random calls for help. They now number 55 volunteers who conduct around 15,000 hours of training annually with a budget of close to half a million dollars. On average they respond to 80 callouts a year, some of which last just hours, others days. They are usually tasked by the RCMP because of the unique skills they possess. They have become adapters of new technology, operating a small fleet of drones that enable them to better understand the “big picture” on many of their operations.

I think I can speak for everyone when I say we were in awe with the commitment of these volunteers, ‘normal people’ in our community who are dedicated and passionate in their desire to help others.