Pemberton Search and Rescue is facing a critical situation as their Facebook page was taken over last year, leaving them without control over its content. David MacKenzie, the president of Pemberton SAR, expressed concerns about public safety risks associated with unauthorized individuals posting misleading information. The organization, comprising 40 dedicated members, conducts rescue operations in Pemberton and Lillooet within British Columbia’s Sea-to-Sky region.
Efforts to reclaim access to their Facebook page have been unfruitful, despite reaching out to Meta, the parent company of Facebook. MacKenzie emphasized the importance of social media as their primary communication channel with the community. However, Meta’s response has been lacking, with no progress made despite MacKenzie’s appeal a month ago.
CBC News attempted to get a response from Meta but received no reply by the time of publication. MacKenzie appealed to the unknown individual controlling the page to return ownership to the rightful group. The situation highlights the vulnerability of organizations to such incidents.
In light of this event, a UBC security expert, Robert Xiao, suggested that organizations should have multiple individuals managing their social media accounts and employ password managers for enhanced security measures. Xiao emphasized the importance of treating passwords with care, similar to handling business keys, to prevent unauthorized access.
Facebook serves as a vital platform for search-and-rescue groups in British Columbia, including the 78 organizations with approximately 3,200 volunteers. Sandra Riches, from B.C. AdventureSmart, underscored the significance of Facebook in sharing crucial information with the community and maintaining public engagement.
Pemberton Mayor Mike Richman praised the exemplary work of the local search-and-rescue team and highlighted the diverse challenges they face due to the region’s geography. As winter approaches, the demand for SAR services increases, necessitating prompt resolution of the Facebook page issue. MacKenzie remains optimistic about regaining access to the page and expressed no intention to create a new account.