NEW SAR INITIATIVES FUND
Innovation on land, sea and in the air
The following six projects are supported by the New Search and Rescue
Initiatives Fund.
RCMP's mapping and visualization tools
An RCMP New Search and Rescue Initiatives Fund project for 2003 is developing
visualization and mapping tools to make searches more effective. The solution
is a display program for PCs that can bring up geographic information
systems (GIS, or layers of digital maps), aerial photography and fly-by
imagery.
Search managers will be able to evaluate the terrain and elevation of
a given search region. Map layers can be added and removed, so the manager
will also be able to see unique patterns of information relevant to a
search mission. Critical sites such as hazards, clues, and tasked areas
can be identified and marked on the map display.
The display program is coordinated with planning and operations procedures;
so for example, a region drawn by the manager is automatically measured
and residential addresses can be listed for printing. The operations sequence
continues through wrap-up, when a complete history of a search can be
added to the local database and printed for lessons learned.
This project was first developed for urban searches, but is being adapted
to help with rural searches, evidence searches, and some criminal and
emergency evacuation applications. The RCMP is trying to keep the program
cost-free for policing agencies across Canada and hopes to have it available
in 2006.
Transport Canada's low-cost general aviation beacon
With the COSPAS-SARSAT announcement of the February 2009 phase-out of
satellite processing of 121.5 MHz emergency beacons, Transport Canada
is developing a new low cost 406 MHz ELT for General Aviation. This R&D
project is funded from the National Search and Rescue Secretariat's New
SAR Initiatives Fund, and is being managed by Transport Canada's Transportation
Development Centre.
The general aviation market is fairly price-sensitive and it is reluctant
to change to these newer 406 MHz beacons because of the increase in cost.
Some of the 406 MHz ELTs available today can cost up to $3000, including
installation.
The initial phase of the project included a feasibility study on producing
a 406 MHz ELT at a price comparable to the 121.5 MHz ELT. Included in
this study was an investigation of design elements used in cellular phones
and GPS technologies to determine if these techniques can be incorporated
into a low-cost 406 MHz ELT design. The outcome of this study has been
positive, and work is continuing on a follow-on phase to develop this
new beacon.
The low-cost 406 MHz ELT has received COSPAS-SARSAT certification this
year and is in the process of getting TSO-C126 approval. This approval
is a mandatory requirement in order to install and use ELT in aircrafts.
For further information you can contact Howard Posluns (514-283-0034,
poslunh@tc.gc.ca) at the Transportation Development Centre.
RCMP's new diving training and equipment increase
safety
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police's (RCMP) underwater diving teams' training
has been improved and standardized thanks to the 2001 project funded by
the New Search and Rescue Initiatives Fund.
The goal was to purchase common equipment and train all RCMP underwater
divers to the same standards to reduce death and injury to dive team members.
With the increased training, the health and safety of team members is
ensured.
Because of this new training, the RCMP has been able to perform operations
it hasn't been trained for or allowed to do in the past, for example,
diving in contaminated waters. These operations provide closure for families
and also provide critical information to the coroner.
Preparing for tsunamis in the Pacific region
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans tsunami research project began
in 2001 to develop models of typical tsunami currents that will affect
the Pacific coast within the next few hundred years.
Natural disasters are always hard to predict, but with proper research
and preparedness, the effects of a natural disaster can be lessened. An
earthquake registering a seven or eight on the Richter scale can cause
a tsunami with a height of five metres or more.
Such an event is likely to happen in the next few hundred years and this
research is studying ways to mitigate the disastrous effects by training
search and rescue teams to prepare and react to such an event. This study
will also inform people of the risks of tsunamis and develop plans and
evacuation routes for mariners to take and stay safe.
Canadian Beacon Registry Enhancement
Development of the Canadian beacon registry database became a reality
in early 2000 when it was approved as a New Search and Rescue Initiatives
Fund project. Completed and online by May 2003, the enhancement of the
computerized database helps the Canadian Mission Control Centre and Joint
Rescue Coordination Centres (JRCCs) obtain more accurate information to
save a life.
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| Funded by NIF, the Canadian beacon
registry enhancement saves time for both the beacon owner and the
rescue coordination centres. |
The design ensured data would be up-to-date, accurate and easily accessible
to the JRCCs. With the previous database, information downloaded to the
JRCCs was sometimes corrupt and inaccurate because that database was over
three years old and experiencing technical difficulties. With this new
database, information is quicker and easier to retrieve and it ensures
that each JRCC receives the most accurate and up-to-date information necessary
to perform an effective search and rescue mission.
Another benefit of the new beacon registry is the time it saves for the
beacon owner. This new system allows the owner to register the beacon
or update the information him or herself immediately, instead of sending
the information to the NSS and waiting for the three-day turn around.
This assures the JRCC always has access to the most up-to-date information.
To register, update or change your beacon information, go to http://beacons.nss.gc.ca.
Bobbie the Safety Boat
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| Tremendously popular in western Canada,
Bobbie the Safety Boat teaches children about water safety education. |
The Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, Pacific Region's Bobbie the Safety
Boat program, is making waves in western Canada as a search and rescue
prevention program aimed at children through water safety education.
Based on an American program, Bobbie, the animatronic remote-controlled
robot on wheels, will be used to teach prevention and water safety at
boat shows, schools, hospitals and other events throughout the Pacific
region.
At Marine Fest in Nanaimo, B.C., Bobbie was a big hit and wowed children
as he squirted water at the crowd and chatted with children along the
parade route.
So far, the existing phase of Bobbie has been funded by the Canadian
Coast Guard Auxiliary, Pacific Region, and with a donation from Buoy-o-Boy.
The New Search and Rescue Initiatives Fund will support the next phase
for three years.
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