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Canada's 2004 Search and Rescue Program Plan available
online
Canada's search and rescue (SAR) services are facing increased pressure
from changes in tourism, technology, industry and lifestyles. The annual
SAR program plan addresses many of these concerns and indicates a plan
of action to address them.
The plan was prepared by the National Search and Rescue Secretariat which
coordinates the SAR program on behalf of the Lead Minister for Search
and Rescue (the Minister of National Defence) and the federal agencies
responsible for the program: Canadian Coast Guard; Meteorological Service
of Canada; National Defence; Parks Canada; RCMP and Transport Canada.
The plan focuses on a number of areas of the SAR program:
- Interoperability among SAR responders, particularly in communications,
rescue equipment and procedures
- Use of cell phones to alert authorities of SAR incidents (via 9-1-1)
- Familiarization for SAR providers of Canada's new SAR helicopter,
the CH-149 Cormorant
- Potential incidents of distress in Canada's vast Northern regions
- Over-flights in the Arctic and the potential impact on SAR resources
from increased traffic
- The ongoing use of meteorological information for SAR providers, especially
in the North
- Gaps in radio coverage that could hinder SAR communications
- Creation of 10 new National Parks and five new Marine Conservation
Areas resulting in increased visitors to remote areas
- More cruise ships and an increase in passenger capacity
- Growing popularity of whale-watching, eco-tourism, kayaking and other
recreational activities
- Greater distances for offshore fishing requiring a longer deployment
of SAR resources
- A growing at-risk population from expanded offshore oil and gas exploration
and supporting vessels and helicopters.
The 2004 Program Plan outlines specific actions to address these challenges
and the strategies to guide both response and prevention activities. The
vision of a seamless system will be achieved by developing and strengthening
partnerships among SAR providers including the volunteer sector that works
closely with federal, provincial and local SAR agencies. The plan outlines
plans to improve data and information, test the SAR system with multi-jurisdictional
exercises and foster innovation in technology and processes.
The full text of the 2004
Search and Rescue Program Plan.
For more information contact:
Major Pat McSorley
Senior Analyst
National Search and Rescue Secretariat
275 Slater St., Ottawa K1A 0K2
(613) 996-3604 or 1-800-727-9414
pmcsorley@nss.gc.ca
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