Richard Foster has 60 years of North Shore Rescue history in his home.
Foster is the archives manager at North Shore Rescue (NSR).
In an interview with 1130 NewsRadio, he showcases some of the highlights in his collection.
From flashlights, “This is the first generation – it’s military grade,” to harnesses, “This is one of the original harnesses that the team started using,” to crampons for walking on snow and ice, “The way you held them on was with this rope – tie it around to your boot,” Foster knows a story to every single item.
“I’ve been actively collecting for two years, which we started very small, and I said, ‘Oh, there’s treasure to be found.’”
Foster is a retired advanced care paramedic and former NSR member.
He started the collection after realizing that the NSR was lacking one.
Going through past members’ basements and attics, he has quickly gathered 25 boxes worth of items.
“Everything that I can collect, every story that I can collect, just builds the foundation of what the organization is about,” he said.
NSR began in 1965 as a civil defence team in case of an attack by the Soviet Union.
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Over time, it was realized that the need for a wilderness search and rescue team was greater.
“Not a lot of people understand that these were bushwhackers that evolved into mountaineers,” he explained.
Today, the volunteer-based organization responds to about 150 calls every year, and it even has its own TV show.
The radios are among Foster’s favourite items he has gathered.
“It was the first generation for the team, and I think it’s a really cool artifact, and when you tell kids, ‘This is a portable radio,’ they go ‘No,’” he said.
But the collection has outgrown his house, and NSR is looking for a new home for the items.
Foster says he would like to see the items shared with the public.
“Each item is a member’s history with the team and how they changed and helped the team evolve,” he said.
The NSR is looking for about 450 square feet of space – for now.
Eventually, he hopes the organization can open a mountain information centre.
“Where we can educate people, particularly all our tourists coming in, education, history, interaction with some of the artifacts, I think these are all important. Especially for kids.”
Anyone who has space for the NSR is asked to email the organization.