About the CRASH Team Operations

The CRASH Team is a local, grass-roots initiative created by two local Sundre first responders who recognized the increasing need for advanced fire-rescue services throughout the region they serve and call home. It has evolved into a registered charity and not-for-profit organization, relying entirely on donations and fundraising to operate.

Using this funding, the Team will employ highly qualified and skilled local fire-rescue personnel to staff the team for response on a full-time basis.

The Team will work out of a base of operations located in Sundre, Alberta - amidst the rugged, rural and remote west-central Alberta rocky mountain region and its plethora of natural hazards. This allows for rapid response within the region - which currently relies on advanced response from Canmore, Red Deer, and Calgary when needed - resulting in lengthy wait times.

Upon request by first response agencies, the Team will deploy and respond to complex and severe emergency incidents that require their specialized capabilities. They can also respond to routine emergencies to assist and support local resources when needed.

* With collaboration of a hosting fire department, the Team will be able to provide the fire department with full-time responders for free in exchange for use of department apparatus and equipment when appropriate for CRASH Team responses. This model helps to save the Team funding on equipment, while putting existing apparatus and resources bought with public funding to further good use and benefit for all.

What Are The Capabilities Of The CRASH Team Members?

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Flood and Swiftwater Capabilities

  • Jet Boat and Zodiac Boat training in highly technical waterways (custom course from former jetboat racer technician).

  • Swift Water Rescue training & certification (technician, advanced, and custom levels through recognized rescue institute).

  • Flood Water Rescue and Ice Rescue training & certifications.

  • Avid and competitive paddlers.

  • Direct floodwater and swiftwater rescue experience (20+ years).

  • CanTF2 flood response training and 2013 response experience.

Advanced Extrication Proficiency

  • Vehicle extrication courses including Big Rig Rescue, Farm Equipment extrication, and Electric Vehicle extrication techniques taken by all team members.

  • NFPA 1006 vehicle extrication training by all members.

  • TERC extrication competition experience and awards achieved with local fire department.

  • 10 - 13 years each of direct vehicle extrication experienced with hundreds of extrications completed.

  • Experience extricating patients from UTVs, boats, vehicles, equipment, debris, confined spaces, cliffs & canyons, and other entrapment situations with both manual and e-draulic/hydraulic tools and lifting devices.

Federal, Provincial, and Local Emergency Response Experience

Fire and Wildland Urban Interface Expertise

  • NFPA 1001 I&II, 1002 Op, 1021 I, 1140, 1051, 1072, WUI Crew Member, AB Wildfire Crew Member, Faller III, Nozzle Forward, and custom interior attack SAR courses.

  • Wildland Urban Interface team experience.

  • AB Wildland firefighter experience (4 years).

  • Wildfire deployments throughout province (12 + deployments including Fort Mac, Waterton, Drayton).

  • 10 - 13 years each of municipal firefighting experience (paid and unpaid).

  • 10 years industrial fire work experience.

Collapse Zone Rescue Capabilities

  • Mine Rescue and tower rescue training and 5 years teaching experience.

  • Members have experience rescuing patients from collapsed buildings in situations involving vehicles hitting buildings, a tornado collapsing or damaging homes, and campers impacted by rock/mud slides.

  • Some team members have taken training in shoring and stabilization of collapse zones via CanTaskForce 2 in Calgary, online through AB AEMA, and through the University of Victoria.

  • Team members are undertaking Structural Collapse Specialist & Confined Space Extrication Courses via CRASH Team donations to expand their capabilities.

Canada Task Force 2 Experience

  • Team member with 11 years as an active member with Canada Task Force 2 and has participated in events throughout Alberta and international cross-training with FEMA.

Team members have 10 + years each experience working with different levels of Canadian governments conducting responses to various incidents.

  • Federal responses include: Commanding 3 Oil/Gas industry emergencies as Federal Incident Commander and Fire Department Incident Commander.

  • Provincial responses include: Deployments to multiple wildland fire complexes throughout Alberta and BC; and flood response deployments (2013).

  • Local responses of large magnitude include: flood response including evacuations, swift-water rescues, and backcountry rescues during 2013 Alberta floods; tornado response involving extrication to 2022 Bergen tornado; wildlife attack responses to fatal bear attacks in 2020 and 2023 involving multiple agencies.

  • Members have ICS 100-400, role specific, and instructor certifications.

  • 14 years experience as an Emergency Management Officer for the federal government, responding to and managing emergencies across Canada.

Remote Rescue and Dangerous Wildlife Experience

  • NFPA 1006 Rope Rescue Technician Certifications.

  • NFPA 1006 Vehicle Extrication Certifications.

  • Paramedic and EMR members with 10 + years remote trauma experience.

  • ATV/UTV/Boat operators certifications.

  • 10 + years Ground Search and Rescue experience (team member & manager in over 100 SAR ops and exercises).

  • Avalanche Rescue Certifications.

  • Animal Rescue training and experience.

  • Custom AB Fish and Wildlife training.

  • 10 - 13 years each of backcountry rescue experience - including 4 bear attacks.

  • All experienced backcountry hunters, anglers, and mountaineers.