News Releases

Search and Rescue Community Honours its Own in Montréal

Montréal, QC, September 27, 2010 - The National Search and Rescue Secretariat is pleased to announce the results of the 2010 National Search and Rescue Program Awards of Excellence. The awards are presented to recognize outstanding contributions to search and rescue response and prevention in Canada.

The awards will be presented this evening, Monday, September 27, by Ms. Géraldine Underdown, Executive Director of the National Search and Rescue Secretariat (NSS), at a ceremony in Montréal, QC.

The dinner banquet will be held in conjunction with SARscene 2010, the annual search and rescue outreach event hosted by the NSS and co-hosted this year by the Ministère de la sécurité publique – Sécurité civile.

There are four award recipients this year. The Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, from Whistler, BC, as well as Mr. Peter Murray, with Talon Helicopters from Richmond, BC, are being awarded the Award for Exemplary Service, which recognizes special and outstanding service to search and rescue provided by an individual or organization, usually over a significant period of time, or during a critical event of widespread or national and/or international significance.

Mr. Yves Girard of la Sûreté du Québec, from St-Hubert, QC, is receiving the Award of Excellence for Innovation, which recognizes those who have solved a problem or successfully leveraged an opportunity that has served to enhance search and rescue.

Master Warrant Officer Éric Larouche, from 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron, 8 Wing Trenton is receiving the Award of Excellence for Leadership, recognizing those who have distinguished themselves as leaders or outstanding advocates for search and rescue, either locally, nationally, or internationally.

The National Search and Rescue Secretariat (NSS) is an autonomous arm’s length organization within the Department of National Defence, accountable to the Lead Minister for Search and Rescue who is also the Minister of National Defence.

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