News Releases

James Galloway receives 2002 Certificate of Achievement in Search and Rescue

Corporal James Galloway, an RCMP dog handler, received a Certificate of Achievement on September 14th in Halifax at SARSCENE, the annual search and rescue workshop sponsored by the National Search and Rescue Secretariat (NSS).

Cpl. Galloway, who grew up in Quebec and now lives in Sherwood Park, Alberta, joined the RCMP in 1969 and its police dog section in 1975. Among his many personal initiatives to aid the search and rescue (SAR) community are his work in helping Alberta search dog teams form a province-wide association, called the RCMP Civilian Search and Rescue Service Dog Association, and the time he takes teaching and implementing standards for SAR dog teams.

The Certificate of Achievement is one of five given this year by the NSS in recognition of the dedication and professionalism of SAR providers across the country.

Jean Murray, Executive Director of the NSS, said that "Cpl. Galloway's efforts have led to a significant improvement in the level of service and professionalism that volunteer search dog teams provide in Alberta." Ms. Kris Kaulbaus, who nominated Cpl. Galloway, commented that "As a result of his actions, search dog capabilities in the province have been improved, and the scope of the Alberta program is now expanding to include Ontario and British Columbia."

Other Certificates of Achievement will be presented to Tim Jones (North Shore Rescue Team), North Vancouver, British Columbia; Denis Maurice (Georgian Bay SAR), Georgian Bay, Ontario; and Eric Langley (Cape Breton Search and Rescue Team), Sydney, Nova Scotia; and Robert Petitpas (Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary), Sorel, Quebec.

John Kelly of Winnipeg, Manitoba, National Administrator of the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association, received the 2002 Outstanding SAR Achievement Award for his lifetime career in SAR during which he not only saved numerous lives putting himself at risk, but provided SAR training to thousands of military and civilian SAR workers.

The NSS is an independent agency of the federal government, created in 1986, which works with all levels of government, police and emergency services, and volunteers to manage and improve search and rescue activities throughout Canada.