Questions

When was the Awards program established?

Are there separate awards for career and volunteer SAR professional?

Are the awards only for lifetime achievement in SAR?

Can both groups and individuals be nominated?

Who can be nominated?

Are awards granted by region?

How many awards are given out each year?

Where can I find the names of awards recipients?

What percentage of awards have been given to volunteers?

How are the nominations judged?

Can a previous winner be nominated again?

Can people from the same organization be nominated?

Do I have to fill out separate forms for the achievement award and certificate of achievement?

Are the nominations confidential?

Questions and Answers

When was the Awards program established?
The National Search and Rescue Secretariat (NSS) Awards Program was introduced in 1995 to acknowledge outstanding work by search and rescue (SAR) professionals and organizations, and to raise awareness of SAR efforts across the country.

Are there separate awards for career and volunteer SAR professional?
No. Both the Outstanding SAR Achievement Award and the Certificates of Achievement can be awarded to either a career or volunteer SAR professional.

Are the awards only for lifetime achievement in SAR?
No. Any significant contribution to SAR in Canada should be considered in nominating an individual or organization for the NSS awards program. The nominee must have performed outstanding work in the field of SAR above and beyond routine work and service. The contribution must be in the form of sustained effort over a period of time. For more information, see Awards Eligibility.

Can both groups and individuals be nominated?
Yes.

Who can be nominated?
Canadian SAR professionals (career or unpaid), nominated either as a group or as an individual can be nominated. The award can be given posthumously. Awards can be given to Canadian Forces personnel, but the chain of command must be followed in approving the nomination.

Are awards granted by region?
No. There is no division by region; however, they are only open to Canadian residents.

How many awards are given out each year?
One Outstanding SAR Achievement Award is presented each year as well as several Certificates of Achievement, depending on the calibre of nominations.

Where can I find the names of awards recipients?
Information about past Outstanding SAR Achievement Award and Certificate of Achievement recipients is found on our web site.

What percentage of awards have been given to volunteers?
65 per cent of past awards have been given to volunteers. Out of 80 total awards given, 52 have gone to volunteers (groups and individuals).

How are the nominations judged?
The judging committee is comprised of National Search and Rescue Secretariat senior managers who score each nomination based on established criteria. Each member scores individually and then the committee meets to determine a consensus. The Executive Director of the Secretariat approves the committee's final recommendations. The Awards Co-ordinator contacts each nominator to inform them of the decision. Closer to SARSCENE the Award and Certificates winners are formally announced.

Can a previous winner be nominated again?
Yes. The group/person will be judged only on achievements since the previous award was received. For those who have been nominated in the past (and have not won), previous nomination information can be updated and will be considered for the present nomination.

Can people from the same organization be nominated?
Yes. You may nominate as many people as you like, but please fill out separate forms for each nominee, unless you are nominating the group as a whole.

Do I have to fill out separate forms for the achievement award and certificate of achievement?
No. All nominees are considered for both the Award and a Certificate. The nomination with the highest score will receive the Outstanding SAR Achievement Award.

Are the nominations confidential?
Yes. We do not contact nominees unless asked to do so by the nominator. We contact the winners closer to SARSCENE to confirm their attendance and other details.