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Â鶹Éç¹ú²úSearch and Rescue pioneer pioneer dies

Jim Lang started programs such as SAR’s prevention team, which remain in place to this day
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In memoriam Jim Lang.

A key figure in the startup of Â鶹Éç¹ú²úSearch and Rescue has died.

Jim Lang died on Jan. 2.

B.J. Chute, a manager with Â鶹Éç¹ú²úSAR, said that the organization was saddened to hear of the passing of one of its founding members.

“Jim was instrumental during the formation of Â鶹Éç¹ú²úSAR, originally a branch of the Â鶹Éç¹ú²úEmergency Program,” Chute told The Chief in a written statement.

“Although our team has had a considerable turnover in volunteers, many of the programs that started because of Jim’s vision, such as the Â鶹Éç¹ú²úSAR Prevention Team, are still going strong.”

Lang was born in Kingston, Ontario,  on July 2, 1953, and was raised in a military family that moved across Canada and overseas.

Finally, they settled in Vancouver Island.

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In memoriam: Jim Lang. - Courtesy Joanne Greenlees

Lang would then first come to Â鶹Éç¹ú²úas a teenager in the early 1970s to work in the youth crew at Garibaldi Park.

“So began a lifelong love of the valley, its mountains, forest and sea,” reads an obituary published in The Chief on Jan. 14.

Lang would later work in construction and served as a camp operator in Porteau Cove.

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In memoriam: Jim Lang. - Courtesy Joanne Greenlees

His final job was with the District of Â鶹Éç¹ú²úas its emergency program manager.

Lang was known to have volunteered thousands of hours with Â鶹Éç¹ú²úSAR, emergency social services, marine SAR and in emergency management capacities for the community.

His obituary states a celebration of life is intended to happen when gatherings are once again possible.

Those seeking information on the celebration can contact [email protected].

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