Search & Rescue Whanganui Inc.

Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR) is a highly trained group of personnel that are available night and day, 365 days a year to help search for the lost, missing and injured in urban, rural and wilderness areas.

Their search and rescue specific training and ability to perform in almost any weather can make the difference. Searches vary from a lost or injured hunter or tramper in the wilderness, to an elderly person with dementia in an urban environment.

Organisation Details:

LandSAR Whanganui provides a search, rescue and recovery service to members of the public who encounter difficulty in the Whanganui region. We also operate in any other region throughout New Zealand as and when required. We are a non-paid volunteer organisation made up of some 25 members who offer a range of expertise in operations management and planning, communications, search techniques, tracking and first aid. Most operations involve a successful outcome but on occasion, we are tasked with recovering bodies and returning them to their families.

Whanganui LandSAR and Police operate the WanderSearch Tracking System. This system offers security for family members of those suffering from Alzheimers, dementia or autism and who have a tendency to wander. A small tracking pendant which operates on a unique frequency is issued to the person, which they wear or have on them at all times. Should they go missing a call to Police gets a search quickly underway. With the use of this technology trained LandSAR/Police operatives can locate the wanderer within a much quicker time-frame.

All LandSAR members supply their own equipment at their cost, however, to meet operational needs the organisation requires to purchase additional specialist equipment such as handheld radios, GPS units, and clothing for extreme weather conditions. Any help financially is much appreciated.