It is April 5th, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. on a stormy Wednesday; a weather watch is in effect due to freezing rain. There are reports of power outages everywhere. The Pointe-Claire Volunteer Rescue Unit’s (PCVRU) emergency call system alerts the members that we are needed at the Hall, located at 2 Victoria, as soon as possible. We have received emergency calls for a large number of downed trees, causing potential security risks. We also have many calls regarding the need for pumps and generators due to the power outages and flooded homes. The PCVRU members quickly respond and avail themselves to assist their community, despite the fact that we too are without power or heat. The team works tirelessly all day and into the early hours, from April 5th to April 8th, over 400 hours; there are more than 47 downed or damaged tree calls, and 28 calls requiring pumps and/or generators. This is the Pointe-Claire Volunteer Rescue Unit, a group of trained volunteers referred to as the “guardian angels” and “jewels” of the City of Pointe-Claire.

PCVRU was created in 1951 by former servicemen after World War II. Funded by the City of Pointe-Claire and under the umbrella of Public Security, the mission of this group is to support the community and provide assistance in emergency situations and incidents that threaten public health and safety. This volunteer organization also presides over major events such as the Pointe-Claire Oldtimers Hockey Tournament, La Fête nationale, and Canada Day festivities in Bourgeau Park, providing first aid and emergency intervention. The City of Pointe-Claire is proud to boast that, aside from the City of Baie D’Urfé, it is the only municipality to offer this service to its community.

The men and women of PCVRU receive training every week in order to maintain and improve their skills. While the primary goal of this training is to benefit our local community, PCVRU has also earned awards over the years at local and international rescue competitions, most recently in 2021 when the unit earned 3rd place at the SARscene competition, a national competition for search and rescue organizations.

The team is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Regardless of the nature or magnitude of the call, PCVRU members can be counted on to assist in a time of need. We are university students, retirees, lawyers, accountants, customer service representatives, engineers, etc., but we all have one thing in common: we are volunteers who are big-hearted, dedicated, and hard-working. PCVRU provides the following services, free of charge,to the citizens of Pointe-Claire, as well as other communities if there is a need:

• Civil defence, flood control, emergency measures assistance;

• Removing the danger of downed or damaged trees on public and private property;

• Providing emergency lighting and electricity;

• Providing medically trained first response at major indoor and outdoor events;

• Boarding up and securing damaged buildings;

• Urban search and rescue for vulnerable individuals in collaboration with the SPVM;

• Performing certified wilderness search and rescue with the Association Québécoise des Bénévoles en Recherche et Sauvetage (AQBRS);

• Collaborating with other communities and organizations by providing medical services at events such as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and in Dorval at both the Oldtimers Hockey Tournament and Women’s Softball League games.

The process for receiving emergency calls falls under Public Security. A citizen contacts them at (514) 630-1234 and, if they deem it appropriate, is addressed to the director of the Pointe-Claire Volunteer Rescue Unit. A call is then triaged to determine what equipment is needed and how many members are required to answer the call. The Unit has several types of vehicles and equipment available, which are regularly maintained by members of the unit, in order to be efficient and reliable.

We are recruiting!

PCVRU is always actively recruiting new members.

If you are interested in joining the Unit you must meet the following requirements:

• 18 years old and older

• Are in good physical condition

• Are available to commit to the unit

You can contact the PCVRU via email at: rescueunit@pointeclaire.ca

The onboarding procedure involves observation over a few weeks, followed by a probationary period. For more information, you can visit the PCVRU website at www.pcvru.org

By Marianna Ferraiuolo, Assistant Director, PCVRU. Collaborators: Rian McDonald, Captain, PCVRU and James Lapierre, Officer, PCVRU.