NWR donates protective truck bed mats to North Shore Search and Rescue

PUBLISHED IN MAR 2022

 “As our team watched the Knowledge Network five-part North Shore Search and Rescue (SAR) documentary – we were surprised to learn that, when responding to rescue calls, North Shore volunteers use their own trucks and personal vehicles to transport themselves and their heavy-duty rescue equipment to their destinations” says Paul Flinton, VP Marketing, North West Rubber Ltd.

Curious to learn more, the North West Rubber team contacted North Shore SAR, and they shared a few facts that you, too, may find interesting.  

Did you know?

• Up to 50 people volunteer annually for North Shore search and rescue operations in mountain, canyon and urban settings
• The North Shore team is one of the busiest volunteer Search and Rescue group in North America, responding to over 100 calls per year
• The response area is vast – including the entirety of the North Shore mountains, from Howe Sound to Deep Cove and from Burrard Inlet up to the Lions (pointed peaks in the North Vancouver mountains)
• Due to their technical abilities -- especially with helicopters -- the North Shore SAR team is asked to assist other SAR teams in the southwest part of B.C. and on Vancouver Island
• All North Shore SAR services are provided for free; they would never want the fear of a hefty rescue fee to hinder any attempts at finding lost or injured loved ones

"Can you imagine what damage driving up and into the North Shore mountains

-- while hauling gear -- must cause to the bed of your own truck?"

Rough terrain

“The North Shore offers some pretty nasty creek gullies, so if a hiker of skier gets off the trail, they are often drawn down the creek,” adds Allan McMordie, volunteer and Search Manager, North Shore SAR. “Much of our time is spent on lost people in these gullies and for injured hikers who have slipped off-trail.”

Protecting the equipment of those who protect us

This past month, North West Rubber, with our delivery partner Overland West Freight Lines providing shipping, donated 18 Black Armour heavy-duty recycled rubber protective truck bed mats for North Shore SAR members.

“We provided a variety of custom and universal mats to help volunteers more safely haul their equipment for rescue missions,” says Dee Sekhon, Marketing Specialist, North West Rubber Ltd.

Overall, twelve custom-fitted truck bed mats ranging across truck brands (Ford, GMC, Chevy and Toyota) and universal fit and 5 ft x7 ft mats were donated.

Black Armour premium recycled rubber bed mats provide extra protection for truck beds, and their high traction design prevents cargo from shifting or sliding during transport; so driving up into the mountains will no longer be a problem for North Shore SAR. All Black Armour truck bed mats are proudly made in British Columbia, Canada, and each 105Ib heavy duty bed mat prevents 6 end of life tires from needlessly entering or landfills and incinerators. Black Armour Bed Mats are the best available bed mat for your truck.

“I received my mat and it’s a perfect fit for my vehicle, is very heavy duty and will last me for years,” says Don Jardine, volunteer, North Shore SAR. “ Thanks for organizing this and many thanks to North West Rubber for their generous donation.”

Community support

The North Shore Rescue Team is dependent on, and appreciative of, all community support. The Province of B.C. funds most of the costs incurred during a rescue task, but individual North Shore SAR members are responsible for purchasing and maintaining their gear and vehicles.

While often on the front page of our local newspapers for daunting rescues, we are incredibly grateful for these volunteers and their brave efforts they take on each and every day.

Find out more
You can find out more about North Shore SAR and support them by following their social media feeds:

Website:  www.northshorerescue.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/NorthShoreRescue
Instagram: @northshorerescue
Twitter: @nsrescue

Contact North West Rubber about our first responder programs and donations through email at dees@northwestrubber.com.