Coquitlam Search and Rescue (SAR) has a new leader.
Last month, the non-profit group elected Nick Zupan at its annual general meeting to replace Helena Michelis as president.
Michelis was the first female president for the 50-year-old organization.
A retired Port Coquitlam firefighter with 29 years of service, Zupan has been with Coquitlam SAR for 30 years.
He has been on its executive as a training director and as a membership/recruitment director and, currently, is a member of the rope rescue group and the longline/Heli Winch rescue team.
Over the years, Zupan has also been active with mountain rescue and avalanche training.
Zupan told the Tri-City News today, Oct. 11, that he stepped into the president's role after many senior members transitioned out during the group's milestone anniversary last year.
One of his first duties is to establish a succession plan, he said.
"My motivation for joining SAR back in the early 1990s was to be active in the community and be around like-minded people with similar outdoor interests," said Zupan.
"The recent COVID pandemic has put a strain on many organizations that require a strong team working together in person. The new executive and I are actively rebuilding that teamwork."
To learn more about Coquitlam SAR and to donate, you can visit the organization's website.
