I recently came across a discussion about whether the Township of Langley had stopped funding search and rescue.
Search and rescue is one of those community services many of us may not think about until somebody needs it. I wanted to understand what Council had actually decided, so I reviewed the Council records. Here is what those records show.
Did the Township stop funding search and rescue?
Fact Check: According to the Council record the funding was m
aintained through 2026.
The minutes of the December 1 Council meeting record a motion by Mayor Eric Woodward, seconded by Councillor Rob Rindt, to maintain annual funding for Central Fraser Valley Search and Rescue for 2025 and 2026. The motion carried.
The minutes indicate that the funding was to come from 2025 surplus funds as part of the 2026 budget. Council also requested that the organization return by the end of June 2026 with information about its calls for service and the broader value it provides to the Township.
In other words, the decision recorded in the minutes maintained the funding through the end of 2026. That should not be read as suggesting that funding beyond 2026 has been approved.
Is this a Township-run search and rescue department?
Fact Check: No. Central Fraser Valley Search and Rescue is an independent volunteer search and rescue organization serving the region.
According to the organization, Central Fraser Valley Search and Rescue has more than 30 trained volunteer members and provides search and rescue resources when called upon by local and provincial agencies.
Its publicly described activities include ground search and rescue, swiftwater rescue, rope rescue, assistance with emergency and disaster situations, and outdoor-safety education.
The distinction is important: the Township does not operate Central Fraser Valley Search and Rescue as a municipal department. Rather, the funding discussed by Council supports an organization that forms part of the broader emergency-response network serving the area.
Did the organization provide the information Council requested?
Fact Check: According to the June 15 Council proceedings: yes.
At the June 15 Council meeting, Vern Bauer appeared on behalf of Central Fraser Valley Search and Rescue and reported on the organization’s activities.
According to the information presented to Council, the team responded to 38 calls in 2025, seven of which were identified in the presentation as Township of Langley calls.
Mr. Bauer also described activities that are not necessarily reflected in call totals, including maintaining trained members and equipment, disaster preparedness, participation in community events and outdoor-safety education.
Council had previously requested information about both calls for service and the organization’s broader value to the Township. The June presentation provided Council with information addressing those subjects before the requested deadline.
Where things stand
Based on the Council records described above, the Township’s funding for Central Fraser Valley Search and Rescue was maintained through 2026.
That does not establish what Council may decide about funding after 2026. For now, however, the public record shows that funding was continued for this year.
My understanding after Mr. Bauer’s delegation was the funding has been continued for a year by council after the fire department decided to cease funding them after decades of support.