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| Minister of National Defence, The Honourable John McCallum |
Minister McCallum's first-hand experience with search and rescue came shortly after his appointment as Minister of National Defence in May 2002. It wasn't long before he gained an appreciation for the skills and courage that characterize search and rescue.
"My first exposure to search and rescue professionals were the SARTECHs who have to take huge risks and be able to endure great physical stresses under the worst of conditions. It can be a grueling job."
Last summer, Minister McCallum met with the 103 Search and Rescue Squadron in Gander, Newfoundland and the nearby community to discuss the recent crash of the Griffon helicopter in Labrador. Following the accident, the Minister acted on a suggestion from the flight engineer who had survived the crash to paint the squadron's helicopters bright yellow.
This initial exposure gave the Minister a first-hand look at the complexity and depth of knowledge needed for search and rescue.
"I know we sometimes work in stovepipes in Ottawa", he said. "But in search and rescue, people work together for the common good in a spirit of teamwork, and I suspect that's one of the reasons why there are fewer barriers. We have a coordinated system that works together - six federal departments and agencies, provincial and territorial authorities, police, volunteers and many others - to get the job done. We need to build on the high level of collaboration to continue the success we've had in saving lives."
Importance of communication
"We need to communicate effectively with the public. Public support and participation are important." The extensive media coverage of the new Cormorant helicopters, for example, is a result of an aggressive campaign to inform the public about search and rescue resources and expertise.
Communication is our best weapon to prevent search and rescue in the first place. "We are working hard to define more clearly the various roles and responsibilities within the national search and rescue program, and to improve reporting on search and rescue issues to the Canadian public. "
"We need to work with our partners to get appropriate messages out to the public." The Minister emphasized the importance of prevention programs (such as National Safe Boating Week, Atlantic Canada's Severe Winter Weather Awareness program and the RCMP 'Hug-a-Tree' program for children) as critical elements of the collective effort to keep Canadians safe.
Backbone of the national system
The Minister addressed a number of challenges for search and rescue, notably the need to recruit new people. "This is a huge challenge for our organizations, especially the volunteers. Finding people who are physically active, versatile and willing to devote considerable time to training is difficult. Volunteers - thousands of individuals in ground teams, the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association across the country - make the system work as well as it does."
Volunteers are responsible for major initiatives that now include public safety messages for outdoor enthusiasts, courtesy marine vessel inspections, promotion of aviation safety and more. "These are wonderful programs," he said. "And we need to support them and learn from them." At the same time, volunteers are challenged by the need to raise funds for equipment, training and administration. "These efforts can take their toll on individuals and families."
Innovation in search and rescue
Minister McCallum noted that the New Search and Rescue Initiatives Fund is an important part of the federal government's overall innovation strategy. "We're promoting a more innovative country and a more innovative economy and search and rescue is no exception." Since 1988 the Fund has supported over 700 projects in all areas of search and rescue - SAR data and information collection, prevention, research and development, response and volunteers.
Canada has been in the forefront of innovation since the early development of the COSPAS-SARSAT search and rescue satellite system in 1988. Canada was a founding member of this system that links distress signals to the Canadian Forces' Mission Control Centre in Trenton, Ontario from where rescue missions are deployed. "The COSPAS-SARSAT system continues to play a central role in Canada's seamless global safety net and Canadians can be proud of this contribution."
There's no question, the Minister concluded, that Canada deserves its excellent reputation in search and rescue.
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