North Shore Rescue given infrared camera by Port Metro Vancouver

North Shore Rescue has received an expensive new toolfor Christmas that will help the volunteer search groupfind lost hikers starting in the New Year.

The $250,000 high-tech camera uses forward-looking infrared radiometer, or FLIR, technology to sense heat. The donationcame courtesy of Port Metro Vancouver.

"That's going to be really helpful for us, especially in tree canopy when [lost hikers]are unresponsive and not able to come to the open," saidDoug Pope, search manager with NSR.

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The unit was oncemounted to a port vessel, but NSR said it's now been retrofitted for aerial use.Pope said the camera is the only one of its kind being used for search and rescue purposes in the province.

The NSR team tested the FLIRcameralast week from a Talon helicopter. The group said further training and fine tuning of the equipment will be required before it's fully operational in January.

Pope said the camera will be shared with other rescuegroups across the province.

Busiest year on record

News of the donation came at the end ofa year in which NSR received138 calls, much higher than the average of 90 it typically gets annually.

"It's our busiest year in 50 years, which is a lot for a volunteer group," said Pope. "It's been a strain on our team."

Most recently, NSRwarnedoutdoor enthusiasts of all levelsto stay out of the backcountryfor the time being after anavalanche warning was issued for the North Shore.