In spite of approximately 5,000 Canadian Rangers serving in over 220 communities in remote, isolated and coastal regions of Canada, surprisingly many people have never heard of the Canadian Rangers.
The Canadian Rangers are a part of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Reserves working where there is no other military presence. Although being part of the CAF, the Rangers are not a combat unit and are only deployed within Canada on so called DOMOPS (domestic operations). They are a reconnaissance and support unit acting as the eyes and ears of the Regular Forces.
The Canadian Rangers provide lightly-equipped, self-sufficient mobile forces to support CAF national security and public safety operations within Canada. They regularly train alongside other CAF members to remain prepared.
Their duties range from conducting sovereignty patrols, reporting unusual activities or sightings, collecting local data for the CAF to assisting in search and rescue efforts and assisting with natural disasters such as forest fires and floods.
The 2017 wildfire season was extremely challenging for the Cariboo Regional District and when military assistance was requested, not just the Regular Forces showed up, but also the Canadian Rangers with their unique skill set and knowledge of the local area.
As the Canadian Rangers are often locals, who get called to assist within their community, they are intimately familiar with the local population, terrain, weather and other conditions within their area. They know routes, trails and dwellings not shown on any map and are able to identify other community members who can offer valuable assistance in an emergency situation. The Rangers therefore act as a force multiplier, being able to act with utmost efficiency and precision.
This was particular helpful during the evacuation efforts in 2017, when Canadian Rangers were able to produce more detailed maps and on-ground intelligence in order to speed up the evacuation efforts in many remote communities.
After the 2017 fires it was identified by the CAF that - based on the Rangers' performance during Operation Lentus - there was a need to boost the presence of more Rangers in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region. This led to the creation of a new patrol location in Quesnel as well as a new section of Canadian Rangers on the Chilcotin Plateau as a sub-section of the already existing Bella Coola Patrol.
So, after the required administration part was in place, the Chilcotin Section of the Bella Coola Canadian Ranger Patrol was officially launched with headquarters and regular meetings in and around Hanceville. What started with a mere handful of Rangers three years ago, has now evolved into a high-functioning 20-person strong unit (including some new Rangers yet to be sworn in) ready to deploy on a moment’s notice, just like seen a few weeks ago, when called in for a Ground Search and Rescue effort in the Nemiah Valley.
This could not have been achieved without the dedication and support of the local patrol members going actively about recruiting suitable candidates and building up the strength and broad range of skill sets needed to have an effective patrol.
These skill sets include, but are not limited to, navigation ranging from map and compass to GPS units, communication, proficiency in all kinds of bushcrafts and survival, Wilderness First Aid, Search and Rescue skills, marksmanship for predator control and sustenance and mobility on foot, ATV, snowmobile, boats, road vehicles and horses.
When it comes to mobility, both the Quesnel Canadian Ranger Patrol and the Chilcotin Section have excelled and literally set the standard for Equine Mobility by writing the Standard Operating Procedures around the use of horses within the Rangers.
The use of horses has proven to be of significant importance in the challenges the local Rangers face when attempting to access the remote areas of their AOR (area of responsibility). Wildfires and windstorm have caused unprecedented amounts of debris on trails and access trails in the Cariboo-Chilcotin, where ATVs often cannot go without the need to clear a path by chainsaw costing valuable time.
Further - in a ground search and rescue (GSAR) scenario - horseback riders are sitting higher up having a better view of the surrounding area, also being able to call out and listen for responses without the noise of an ATV motor. Horses themselves pick up and point out when they hear a noise helping in finding a lost person.
Notably, two successful GSAR outcomes in recent years in the Chilcotin are thanks to horseback riders finding a lost person.
If you would like to know more about the Canadian Rangers or how to join your local Canadian Ranger Patrol you can contact the local Patrol Commander (For Bella Coola – Chilcotin CRP please contact Sgt Juri Agapow at bellacoola.comd@gmail,.com) or visit Canadian Rangers - Canada.ca
