The Strathcona Regional District is honouring volunteer Steve Sierzputowski for 40 years of service with Campbell River Search and Rescue (CRSAR).
Sierzputowski is also a founding member of the SRD’s Disaster Communications Team, which steps in when regular communication systems fail or are unavailable.
Colleagues praised his dedication, reliability and kindness.
“I feel confident speaking on behalf of so many by stating that Steve is an absolute rock. He quietly shows up when help is needed, works on communication systems when no one else is around to see him, and can be relied upon for words of wisdom when decisions need to be made,” said Shaun Koopman, SRD’s manager of emergency services. “There are no words that can truly capture what Steve has contributed to his community.”
CRSAR is responsible for land and inland-waterway search and rescue across a vast region — from Oyster River north to Port Hardy, east to Bute Inlet and parts of the B.C. mainland coast, and west to Nootka Island.
According to the regional district, that area is one of the largest search and rescue zones in the province.
