If someone goes missing in Moose Jaw and the area, Moose Jaw Search and Rescue get the call to look for the person.

Made up entirely of volunteer, the team of searchers are constantly sharpening their skills. On Saturday night, they were at Kinsmen Wellesley Park for night training.

"Usually we do one to two a year, but usually it is daytime," said Moose Jaw Search and Rescue president Fern Paulhus. "This time we went no, let's do it for night."

With headquarters set up in their bright orange bus, the training consisted of teams split up throughout Wakamow Valley to look for two “injured” victims.

Moose Jaw Search and Rescue holds a unique relationship with the emergency services in the city.

Members from EMS and the Moose Jaw Police Service were on hand for the practice as their organizations work in tandem with the searchers when it comes to missing persons.

In recent years, however, the search and rescue teams have been getting fewer calls.

"On the average we get maybe three calls a year," Paulhus said.

"Years ago the most we had at one point time was 17 calls in one year, so it kept us pretty busy. Since those years we've done a lot of pre-training within the community, awareness stuff, what to do, and it helps them be able to come home themselves at times."

The COVID-19 pandemic has also presented a new set of challenges for Moose Jaw Search and Rescue. Because social distancing is not possible, masks and gloves are worn at all times. Paulhus said they have also seen smaller turnouts of training because of the pandemic.

New volunteers are always welcome. Applications are available at the Moose Jaw Search and Rescue website. Those who decide to join will then take an eight-hour introductory course and a 40-hour course to be certified as a basic searcher.