N.S. news: Volunteer search group says more talks needed about proposed Nova Scotia Guard [Video]

HALIFAX –

The president of the Nova Scotia Ground Search and Rescue Association says she’s keeping an open mind as the province gets ready to create a new volunteer corps.

However, Sherry Veinot said it’s still early stages and it’s not clear how the province’s 23 volunteer search and rescue teams will fit into the proposed Nova Scotia Guard. As well, she said, existing search and rescue infrastructure needs more funding to handle a rising number of natural disasters.

Last month, Premier Tim Houston announced his government would create a type of register composed of volunteers with skills who can be called on during emergencies. Over the weekend he took part in two meetings with search and rescue and volunteer firefighting organizations to consult on the new program.

“There are still a lot of discussions that have to happen because we are still so new with this idea,” Veinot, who participated in one of the meetings, said in an interview Monday. “I …