Prevention Working Group Members and Responsibilities

National Search and Rescue Secretariat (NSS)

Responsibilities

The NSS prevention objective is promoted through various methods, the most noticeable being the Interdepartmental SAR Prevention Working Group. The Prevention Working Group has established a vision, objective, and enabling strategies that shape federal SAR priorities and policies on prevention. The Prevention Working Group also identifies prevention "best practices" and supports and initiates prevention projects such as the Building Prevention Information Capacity project. The NSS is also networking and will assist departments to share lessons learned with other jurisdictions.

Since 1988, the NSS has been funding prevention projects through the New SAR Initiatives Fund. All proposals must incorporate SAR objectives; improve awareness of safety regulations and procedures, improve the safety awareness of people at risk and reduce or eliminate a hazard causing incidents.

Methods

The NSS provides for SAR practitioners the latest developments and trends that have been identified throughout the SAR community. In particular, the NSS disseminates prevention information through videos, publications, workshops and pamphlets generated through NIF funded projects. A prevention Extranet facilitated by NSS is about to be established.

Canadian Coast Guard (CCG)

Responsibilities

CCG has responsibility for oversight of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (CCGA) which conducts much prevention related work on behalf of Transport Canada.

Methods

Courtesy checks, marine safety related publications and audio-visual safety materials; displays; talks; presentations at yacht clubs, marinas, schools, etc; training sessions for the training officers employed by volunteer and other organizations; a training program for CCGA members.

Transport Canada

Responsibilities

Transport Canada (TC) is responsible for safety regulation and inspection in both the marine and aviation spheres.

Methods

Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) oversees the safety of the national air transportation system through its regulatory framework and oversight activities.

Its mission is to develop and administer policies and regulations for the safest civil aviation system for Canada and Canadians using a systems approach to managing risks by seeking out hazards and using the information gathered to develop safety awareness programs aimed towards a broad audience to reduce aviation incidents in Canada.

As part of the regulatory framework to advance civil aviation safety in Canada, TCCA staff develops:

• policies,
• guidelines,
• regulations,
• standards, and
• educational materials

Civil Aviation collaborates with many partner organizations to provide Canadians with a safe air transportation system. Partners include industry associations, labour unions, special interest and volunteer groups, municipal and provincial governments, as well other federal government departments and agencies.

To learn more visit www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/menu.htm.

Marine Safety develops and enforces a safety and environmental protection framework for all segments of the domestic and international marine industries as well as the recreational boating community.

The mandate includes the full spectrum of responsibilities related to the prevention of incidents and the safety of commercial vessels, pleasure craft and marine environmental protection.

The program:

• promotes safe practices and procedures through education and awareness;
• develops and implements an effective and efficient regulatory regime and policies governing marine safety and the protection of the marine environment;
• undertakes the monitoring and enforcement of the marine safety and marine environmental protection regulatory regime; and
• delivers prevention-based programs to promote small commercial vessel and recreational boating safety.

Marine Safety collaborates with many partner organizations to provide marine safety services. Partners include industry associations, labour unions, special interest and volunteer groups, municipal and provincial governments, as well other federal government departments and agencies.

To learn more visit www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/menu.htm.

Parks Canada Agency

Responsibilities

Parks Canada Agency is responsible for the delivery of education and SAR Prevention programs within its Parks. Each individual park has developed safety programs that are suitable for their demographics.

Methods

The National Risk Management Program places an emphasis on park visitors being more responsible and self-reliant. Parks Canada Agency communicates the principles of its Visitor Risk Management Guide through educational programs, brochures, pamphlets, videos and school community presentations.

Environment Canada (Meteorological Service of Canada)

Responsibilities

Environment Canada, through the Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC) provides aviation, public and marine weather products and services for the prevention of SAR incidents

Methods

MSC delivers and communicates its safety messages through weather guides, media broadcasts and answering weather information requests through various means (telephone, fax, the internet, pre-recorded weather messages, etc.).

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Responsibilities

The RCMP provides SAR prevention and safety education programs to civilian groups, for such activities as recreational boating and fishing, wildlife observation, hunting and camping.

Methods

The RCMP communicates their safety message through brochures, establishment of certain prevention programs and presentations to the public. The most notable is their Hug-a-Tree Program and the Outdoor Person's Safety Card carried out in association with Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC).

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