The Squamish Emergency Program Society (SEPS) is a volunteer, community-based organization providing Search and Rescue (SAR), Emergency Social Services (ESS), Communication Services (COMS) for land and water search and rescue, wilderness public safety, disaster preparedness and public education. Its members provide an important life-saving service to the public, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

SEPS goal is to mitigate against, prepare for, respond to, and aid in the recovery from an emergency and/or disaster in an organized manner. The purpose of emergency management is to save lives, reduce suffering, protect public health, government infrastructure, property and the environment, thus reducing economic and social losses.
SEPS is made up of many specialized components that play an important role during an incident.  SEP responds within a huge geographical area extending from south of Porteau Cove to the southern boundary of Whistler, including land and also the entire watershed of the Mamquam, Cheakamus and Squamish Rivers. Squamish offers a vast choice of recreational activities (in the water, on the ground and in the mountains) with terrain that can be as diverse as the activities offered.

Squamish offers excellent recreational water opportunities, including windsurfing, ocean kayaking, rafting, climbing and fishing. Squamish also offers some of the best mountain biking terrain in British Columbia. This abundance of choices makes this area one of the most heavily used outdoor playgrounds in southwestern British Columbia and is suitably named the "Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada." SEPS plays an integral part in the safety of all outdoor enthusiasts and provides first responder assistance, including first aid, to injured or lost people within SEPS operating area.

The team provides search and rescue services to:

• Provincial Emergency Program (PEP)
• RCMP and municipal police services
• Municipal fire services
• BC Ambulance Service
• Other SAR teams in BC
• Local and regional governments during civil emergencies

SW Region SAR Boundry Map