Mike Danks steps down after a decade leading North Shore Rescue

After a decade of leadership, Mike Danks is handing over the reins of North Shore Rescue, an organization he joined when he was still a teenager.

Danks, who started as a volunteer at age 19, says he has been with the organization for 28 years. "The team has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember," Danks told CBC News in an interview.

The Lynn Valley resident says he was introduced to North Shore Rescue by his father who used to take him along on training sessions.

He was recently appointed as the new new fire chief for the District of North Vancouver after serving as deputy fire chief since June 2023, overseeing emergency operations.

"I look at my role with the fire department and North Shore Rescue, there's so many parallels."

Mike Danks at CBC Vancouver studio on Sunday. He started as a volunteer with North Shore Rescue at 19. (CBC)

A father of three, Danks says his journey with North Shore Rescue has been nothing short of "priceless."

"Once you go on a few calls and you see the impact it has on the people that you rescue and not only them, but their families, that in itself is priceless."

Established in 1965, North Shore Rescue is one of the oldest search and rescue teams in Canada. With approximately 50 volunteers, the team performs about 130 operations each year.

Danks said he will continue working with the organization and its volunteers in his role as fire chief.

Longtime volunteer takes helm

Scott Merriman, who has been a North Shore Rescue volunteer for more than a decade is taking over as the new team lead. He started last week.

"The last 10 years with Mike has been inspiring seeing the trajectory that the team has really taken on," Merriman said.

"I'm excited to continue progressing and evolving and getting better at what we do."

Stepping into the new role, Merriman said his immediate focus will be on recruiting and training new members. The group is bringing on 16 new members and eight members-in-training. "So it will take quite a bit of effort from our full members to train them up and get them operational."

Scott Merriman has been a North Shore Rescue volunteer for more than a decade. He says he is excited to be taking the helm as Mike Dank's successor. (CBC)

The progression from a member-in-training to a full member takes two years, he added.

Merriman said Vancouver's high cost of living has led to high turnover, necessitating new additions to the team.

Mental preparation key for rescuers

Preparation, Danks said, is crucial in search and rescue operations.

"The preparation to make sure that the equipment is ready and that our members are trained effectively to do those calls is really the key."

Given the nature of the work, Danks said mental readiness is key for volunteers, especially when dealing with potentially traumatic incidents.

North Shore Search and Rescue team hang from a helicopter, during a rescue mission in North Vancouver on January 15, 2020. Given the nature of their work, Mike Danks says mental health and self-care are vital for the team members. (Maggie MacPherson/CBC)

"So as soon as that call comes in and it's maybe an injured child, start to mentally prepare yourself for what you may see. So it's not a huge shock to you," he said.

Search and rescue teams face numerous challenges, but one of the toughest decisions, Merriman notes, is having to halt rescue efforts due to dangerous weather conditions.

"Probably the biggest challenge that we face as a team is when the conditions are such that it's too dangerous to send rescuers in. And, we have to tell the family that, 'I'm sorry, but it's just not something that we can risk the lives of our members for.'"