A former infantry officer, and a lawyer by profession, Don Blakely has been involved in Ground Search and Rescue since 1987. Currently a Manager with Vernon SAR in BC, Don has responded to hundreds emergencies including floods and urban wildfires. He is a founding member and currently a Director of the Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada and of the BC SAR Association. Don was responsible for the creation of the National GSAR Liability Insurance program and is a co-author of British Columbia's SAR Strategic Plan.