Albertans bring expertise, hope and closure to Ukraine's search for war casualties 

They've stepped up before to help search for missing people and the victims of earthquakes.

But their journey to Ukraine marks the first time the volunteer members of the Canadian International Rescue Organization (CIRO) have packed their gear and headed into an active war zone.

A crew of eight search-and-rescue experts, mostly from central Alberta, are now conducting hi-tech searches through piles of rubble in the hopes of finding survivors, or providing closure for the families of missing loved ones.

The strikingly dangerous scenario — that the bombardment could resume anytime during a search — is top of mind for the team, according to Chad Reed, a spokesperson for the group headquartered in Red Deer, Alta.

"I think you'd have to be crazy not to be concerned about it," Reed said. 

"But our mission statement basically is 'This we do so that others may live.' And so, a war zone or not, we want to help. We're willing to take the risk for the good of the people."

Reed said the team reached out to the Ukrainian consulate in Edmonton to offer their services at the end of February. 

He says within a week CIRO was given the green light. A few days later, the team's bags, food rations and equipment were packed.

Six of the eight CIRO members are from central Alberta. The other two are from the United States and England. The entire crew met up in Poland before crossing together into Ukraine.

Reed says the crew is mostly working in Kyiv with the aid of the local fire department.

The measure of success

The team use specialised acoustic equipment and telescopic cameras with microphones to search confined spaces for potential survivors, or the deceased. They don't have the equipment to do any of the digging.

"As far as we are aware, we are the only technical rescue team in the Ukraine right now." 

As of Tuesday, the group had completed three building searches.

In that time, Reed said the crew has found one survivor and, sadly, many deceased. They were also able to treat an injured Ukrainian soldier. 

"When we find a potentially deceased person, it is difficult, but it can bring closure (to the family) and for us, as weird as it may seem, it is still a successful mission," said Reed.

The team is now on standby for five more buildings. 

Reed is working on finding a replacement team to fly over to Ukraine toward the end of the month because it's not clear how long this mission will last.

"Some of them have their jobs that they have to get back to for sure (and) it's important you don't overexpose somebody."

Gratitude is overwhelming

Reed said he's thankful to have had the help of the local fire department that has provided food, water and housing to the crew.

He says the crew brought enough food rations to last 10 days, but so far they haven't had to use any of it.

In return for their help, Reed says the local fire department, and Canadians who have friends and family in Ukraine, have shown their appreciation. CIRO is a nonprofit organization that relies on donations to help carry out its work.

"It's been overwhelming actually with a lot of the support, text and conversations that I've had from some of these people. They're really grateful."