Allen served as a North Shore Rescue team member for twelve years and participated in over 700 search and rescue operations in mountain, wilderness, and urban environments. He shared a Canada 125 medal presented to the team for volunteer activities. In addition to enjoying hiking, nature studies, geocaching and metal detecting, Allen has rafted the length of the Fraser River and worked as a fire suppression crewman in central British Columbia.

Allen has 30 years of experience in post-secondary education, primarily in Allied Health and Biology education programs teaching a variety of Human Anatomy and Physiology and basic Biology courses. He served on the governance boards of the Canadian Association of Allied Health Programs and the North Sh ...more

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Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?

Allen Billy When I was a member of the North Shore Rescue Team, I started making notes about certain operations I participated in. Along the way, I expanded these…moreWhen I was a member of the North Shore Rescue Team, I started making notes about certain operations I participated in. Along the way, I expanded these notes and started collecting opeational stories from other team members. Some of these stories included references to operations from years gone by.

At some point, I realized that the oral history of the North Shore Rescue Team was quite fascinating and I started to formally interview current and past members in search of stories, memories and perspectives. This phase of book development went on for many, many years.

The research phase continued for decades as I chipped away at collecting operational stories, even though I had left the team.

While attending the 50th anniversary celebration of the team, I was approached by a founding member of the team who asked me what have I done with my rough oral history manuscript. That was the push I needed to finish the manuscript and get it published.

The idea for the book developed over a long period of time. I felt that the oral history of the team was worth preserving as both an historical document and as a non-fiction book that gives readers an insider's view of search and rescue operations.

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