Members of the North Shore Search and Rescue are calling on the provincial government to provide 24-hour access to a rescue helicopter during the 2010 Olympics.
Over the weekend, search teams braved chilly early-morning weather conditions to practice air rescue tactics.
Participants loaded patients on stretchers on to hovering Talon helicopters at YVR airport, and performed rescue time trials on Mount Seymour.
Coordinator Tim Jones says the chopper will likely prove vital to search teams during the 2010 Games, but there is no telling whether crews will have access to it.
"Nothing has been confirmed," Jones said. "The anxiety that we're having is that there's no guarantee that [the Talon helicopter] is going to be available."
Jones said the provincial government is currently considering their proposal.
Though search teams will operate "outside the fence" of Olympic events, Jones says increased tourist activity will keep members busy during the Games.
