A variety of flotation devices and other equipment are bound for remote coastal B.C. communities, via a partnership with FirstWatch Gear, the RCMP and the CN-CGA. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

huge donation

Vital search and rescue equipment donated in Nanaimo for remote coastal First Nations

Mar 30, 2025 | 6:44 AM

NANAIMO — A partnership between coastal B.C. First Nations, the RCMP and a company specializing in flotation clothing is making a life-saving difference.

The donation of pallets of equipment destined for coastal B.C. communities was made in Nanaimo on Saturday, March 29 with the RCMP’s marine units combining with FirstWatch Gear to make the game-changing donation to the Coastal Nations Coast Guard Auxiliiary (CN-CGA).

Ross Johnston, general manager of FirstWatch Gear, told NanaimoNewsNOW the equipment will go straight to the front lines of emergency response in some of the province’s most remote and isolated communities.

“Most of the equipment is flotation clothing, it’s for people who are going to be out in miserable conditions and if they go into the water there’s a level of hypothermia protection, as well as being Transport Canada approved as buoyancy devices. They’ll be able to use it in the worst conditions.”

Crates of gear will be handed out to eight member First Nations through the Coast Guard Alliance, for their use in responding to marine search and rescue emergencies. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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The idea to collaborate came about at the start of 2024 when the RCMP were seeking to produce training materials for inflatable PFD’s, or personal flotation devices.

RCMP “E” Division water transport coordinator Mike Reid said the process with FirstWatch in developing the training videos really highlighted how much gear was needed in coastal communities.

Ten First Nations make up the CN-CGA.

PFD’s, floater coats and exposure suits are all included in the donation, according to Reid.

“When that call comes, it’s not on a flat, calm day. You may get the odd one where someone’s run out of gas, but realistically it’s in that nasty weather. So giving a first responder on the water in a search and rescue unit…they’ve got to have good gear because they’re going out in the slop.”

CEO of the CN-CGA Dawn Wilson said their member Nations are responding to more and more calls, and donations like this makes a huge difference.

“It’s mutually beneficial because we are working with the RCMP more and more in our Nations as we train. For local agencies to work alongside our Marine SAR units, it just means when an event happens they’re going to know each other, have that trust and mutual respect and hopefully a friendship and the more they work together the more they can respond as a team.”

The volunteer CN-CGA teams operate in the Ahousaht, Gitxaala, Haida, Heiltsuk, Kitasoo Xai’xais, Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’, ‘Namgis, Nisga’a, Quatsino, and Wuikinuxv First Nations.

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