Fredericton, NB — August 23, 2025
York Sunbury Search and Rescue (YSSR) proudly unveiled its newest response vehicle, Rescue 11, at a public event attended by SAR members, donors, local officials, and media. The unveiling marks a major milestone in the team’s operational capabilities and community support.
Rescue 11, a 2024 Ford F-250, is equipped with emergency response features including warning lights, search and scene lighting, and expanded storage for critical SAR equipment such as medical kits, ropes, navigation tools, and subject extraction gear. The truck is designed to transport personnel to calls within the region and to mutual aid deployments across the province, and can tow additional equipment as needed.
Rescue 11 has already proven its value in the field. Just weeks before the unveiling, on the night of July 26, YSSR deployed the truck during a Project Lifesaver activation, a specialized search for a vulnerable individual wearing a wrist-worn tracking device.
“Rescue 11 performed exactly as we hoped,” said SAR Manager Bradley Parker. “It moved our gear quickly to the subject’s last known point, served as a communications hub, and gave us a safe mobile platform to search along a busy highway. Before this truck, we would have been working from personal vehicles far less safe and far less efficient.”
Thanks in part to Rescue 11’s capabilities, the subject was located and brought to safety.
“This truck has been years in the making,” said Daniel Fairbanks, President of YSSR. “it’s a symbol of what our community can achieve when we work together.
Previously, YSSR relied entirely on a command post vehicle and trailer system that was limited in mobility and flexibility. Rescue 11 fills a critical gap, allowing the team to deploy quickly and efficiently, especially in remote or rugged terrain.
The unveiling event featured remarks from YSSR leadership, a walk-through of the truck, and opportunities for guests to learn more about the team’s work and future needs.
YSSR as a non-profit organization depends on community support to make projects like this happen, and extends heartfelt thanks to the donors who made Rescue 11 possible, including:
- The McCain Foundation
- The City of Fredericton
- The Town of Oromocto
- 100 Women Who Care Fredericton
- Fredericton Direct Charge Co-Op
- 100 Men Who Care Fredericton
- Anonymous Donor
And to the folks who helped us acquire and build it to fit our unique scenario:
- Taylor Ford
- Trius Truck Centre
- Five06 Signs
- YSSR’s dedicated and professional volunteers.
While Rescue 11 marks a major achievement, York Sunbury Search and Rescue now faces a critical challenge: the loss of its garage space. For several years, the team had 24/7 access to a rented facility to store vehicles and equipment, keeping them protected and ready for deployment. That space was sold this spring, leaving the team without a permanent home and heading into winter with no guaranteed shelter for its vehicles.
As the truck committee winds down following the successful launch of Rescue 11, YSSR is now shifting focus to a Base of Operations Feasibility Committee, tasked with exploring options for a permanent facility. The team is actively seeking partnerships, land opportunities, or funding to make this next step a reality.
To learn more, donate, or get involved, visit www.yssr.ca.
