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New SAR Initiatives FundSearch and rescue diving into new projects, breaking ground and causing wavesThe following five projects are supported by the New Search and Rescue Initiatives Fund. Trunk Mobile Radios for primary maritime search and rescue resources in Nova Scotiaby Peter Stow Beginning in 2000, the Nova Scotia government instituted its 800 MHz trunked mobile radio (TMR) system. This system replaced the old VHF radio network and is now the communication medium for the RCMP, Emergency Measures Organization, Department of Natural Resources, Emergency Health Services (ambulance) and most local police and fire agencies in Nova Scotia.
In June 2003, TMR units were placed aboard all shore-based primary maritime search and rescue (SAR) resources in Nova Scotia thanks to funding provided by the National SAR Secretariat's New SAR Initiatives Fund. These radios provide direct, on-scene communications between Canadian Coast Guard lifeboats and inshore rescue boats and other agencies participating in a SAR incident. The radios have proved to be a great success and have been used in several multi-agency search and rescue operations. On Christmas Eve 2003, the Halifax Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre (JRCC) was asked to assist the RCMP in a missing person case just outside of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The 52-foot Coast Guard Vessel SAMBRO was tasked to proceed to the coastal area and work with the RCMP. The TMR system enabled the SAMBRO and RCMP ashore to have continuous direct communication which greatly enhanced the coordinated effort of the two different agencies.
Prior to the installation of TMR technology, communications would have been via cellular telephone or through third parties on separate radio networks, both of which have operational limitation during a SAR incident. Interoperability is a key issue for all search and rescue agencies. Weatheradio soon to be broadcasting in the Inuktitut languageWeatheradio, a Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC) project funded by the New SAR Initiatives Fund, has entered a new phase: broadcasting in Inuktitut. When the first Weatheradios were installed in Cape Dorset, Rankin Inlet and Arviat regions in June 2002, it was known the next challenge would be to find common weather terminology that could be understood by many of the Inuktitut dialects. Programming tests were conducted in November 2003 to make sure the broadcasts in Inuktitut will run smoothly and Environment Canada officials are hoping more in-depth testing can be done soon. Weatheradio is a broadcast service located on the VHF-FM radio band and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The automated system broadcasts the latest weather observations, public and marine forecasts, and warnings for specific areas of the country. By broadcasting in Inuktitut, the MSC hopes weather-related injuries
and deaths will be reduced because a greater percentage of the Northern
population will now have access to up-to-date weather forecasts. New training improves inter-agency co-operationNewfoundland and Labrador is improving interoperability within the province by a new training initiative project sponsored by the RCMP and funded by the New SAR Initiatives Fund. Called the Joint Police/Volunteer Training Initiative, the project was developed to bring people together from various search and rescue agencies across the province for a two-week intensive training course. Intended for RCMP officers, Royal Newfoundland Constabulary officers, volunteer search and rescue groups, Canadian Coast Guard officers, Parks Canada wardens, provincial wildlife authorities and aboriginal group leaders, the course encompasses search management, search manager technology and the incident command system. Not only will this build a common training platform for all groups, but
it will build stronger relationships among different SAR groups across
the province. SAR COP project trains volunteers for new role in search and rescueThe RCMP in Alberta has found a novel way to handle the increase in the number of search and rescue incidents, coupled with a decrease in resources: train qualified volunteers to act as a volunteer search and rescue air crew. The RCMP has a provincial mandate for search and rescue involving missing persons, and this project will deal with decreased resources and increase in SAR incidents by integrating civilian volunteers into an RCMP mandate. Course participants will take part in a combination of classroom theory, aircrew role-playing, demonstrations, hands-on practice sessions, and day and night time flight orientation.
A new Forward Looking Infrared component was added to this project to allow for the expansion of capabilities across Canada utilizing police resources. With funding from the New SAR Initiatives Fund, this project will promote effective partnerships and inter-agency cooperation. The RCMP helicopter tasked with SAR responsibilities for Alberta, Saskatchewan
and Manitoba is located in Edmonton, meaning the distance travelled to
an incident is often great, and response time is slower. With trained
and accredited spotters across the provinces, response times and resources
will be improved. DogSpeak database established for SAR dog teams across OntarioA new database of search and rescue dog and handler teams, sponsored by Emergency Measures Ontario (EMO), has been created to manage these resources more efficiently.
The DogSpeak database, funded by the New SAR Initiatives Fund, will establish the known availability of SAR dog teams, including skills, qualifications, mobility and location. Prior to this project, there was no central registry of qualifications and call-out information for dogs and handlers.
According to Staff Sergeant Larry Bigley of the O.P.P. Canine Unit, the database "will provide accurate profiles on search and rescue specialties and certifications of individual canine teams across the province, by both location and skill." Once established in Ontario, this project will have application across Canada. Ultimately, this project could help establish consistent national criteria
for SAR dog standards, testing, communications strategies, protocols and
record keeping. |
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