Don Blakely is a founding member and longtime leader in Search and Rescue (SAR), with nearly four decades of dedicated volunteer service beginning in Fort Nelson in 1987 and continuing in Vernon since 1995. With a background in military service and law, he brought strong organizational and administrative expertise to the field, supporting both operational and governance functions from the outset.
As Team Leader, Rope Rescue Team Leader, and Search Manager with Vernon Search and Rescue, Don has participated in hundreds of operations, including large-scale emergencies such as the evacuation of 7,000 residents during the 1998 Salmon Arm wildfire. Over more than 20 years as a Search Manager, he led complex, multi-agency responses and missing persons searches across the region.
At the provincial and national levels, Don has contributed extensively through leadership with the BC Search and Rescue Association and the Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada. He also played a key role in developing and teaching training programs that continue to shape SAR practices today. Through mentorship and collaboration, Don has strengthened SAR capacity and professionalism across Canada.
