Case Study: Fernie Snowmobile Association achieves rapid backcountry rescues and lone‑worker protection with Blackline Safety

How Fernie Snowmobile Association relies on Blackline Safety to protect their volunteers working alone while maintaining 160km of backcountry trails

The Fernie Snowmobile Association (FSA) maintains 160 km of backcountry trails near Fernie, BC, where volunteers often work alone at night and outside cell range. When a snowcat broke down 25 km from the staging area in sub‑zero temperatures, the operator used Blackline Safety’s G7x Lone Worker Monitor paired with a G7 Bridge portable satellite base station and Blackline’s Safety Operations Center to call for help.

By pulling the SOS on the satellite‑linked G7x, the operator was connected instantly to Blackline Safety’s SOC; the agent received the distress message, shared the operator’s GPS location with FSA emergency contact David Hozjan, and coordinated a mechanic to travel by snowmobile. Blackline Safety’s satellite connectivity and live monitoring enabled rapid, pinpointed response— the mechanic reached and repaired the snowcat, and the operator returned safely—demonstrating faster response capability and reduced risk for lone workers in remote terrain.

Fernie Snowmobile Association

David Hozjan

Vice President