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SAR PROFILES

Peel Regional Police Marine Rescue Unit breaks the ice

The Peel Regional Police Marine and Underwater Search and Recovery unit works around the clock and is now equipped to handle everything from ice rescue to towing.

Located in the City of Mississauga at the Lakefront Promenade marina. The marina sits adjacent to the coal fired Lakeview Generating station. The station releases warm water into the marina basin as part of the electricity production process, and as a result the basin never freezes. In short, the Marine and Underwater SAR unit possesses the ability to quickly respond to winter and summer marine emergencies in Western Lake Ontario seven days a week, 365 days a year. In 2003, the unit responded to 125 SAR calls ranging from mechanical problems to real SAR events.

The unit was formed in 1974 and operated a 14 foot aluminium boat. Patrols were restricted to the confines of the Credit River. Back then, limited training and equipment prohibited officers from safely responding to calls on Lake Ontario.

The unit has grown throughout the years, acquiring improved vessels and more advanced equipment and training. There are currently four crews staffed by eight marine officers, one sergeant and supplemented by six auxiliary officers. Marine 1 is a 33 foot, twin diesel powered, twin propeller, aluminum-hulled motor vessel. Marine 2 is a 26 foot rigid hull inflatable vessel powered by twin 150 horsepower outboard motors. Both of these vessels are equipped with the latest navigational, communication and search and rescue gear available.

Training is intense, says Sergeant Mark Stafford, head of the unit. There are 80 different training categories, including Basic Trauma Life Support, Ice Rescue, Fast Rescue Craft, Coxswain and many other search and rescue related courses. Many are in-house and are reviewed on a regular basis. During the winter months when operational requirements slow a bit, more emphasis is placed on training.

The unit is responsible for approximately 146 sq. km. of Lake Ontario. With so much area to cover the Peel Regional Police Marine Unit knows the importance of inter-agency co-operation. Sergeant Stafford, who became head of the unit in August, 2003 said it's important to be ready for any disaster. The Peel Regional Police Marine unit works closely with other marine units on the Western end of Lake Ontario including Toronto, York, Durham, Hamilton, Halton and Niagara along with the United States Coast Guard as well as Canadian Forces and the Canadian Coast Guard in Trenton.

The warm weather and another boating season are fast approaching and the Peel Regional Police Marine unit is prepared so that the public can continue to enjoy boating, fishing and other water activities safely.

Remembering a hero - Tribute to Al Banky
by Marie Woodruff

In the early 1990s, SARSCENE magazine ran a few articles by Master Corporal (later Sergeant) Al Banky, a SAR Tech with 442 Squadron in Comox.

Four of these were: "When the Bubble Bursts: Critical Incident Stress Management - An Insider's View;" "Blood, Sweat and Imitation Tears;" "An Unchanged Mission - 50 Years of Lifesaving;" and, my favourite, "672 Peg-legged Pirates." The last two appeared in a special issue in 1997, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Canadian Forces SAR. Al's work also appeared in other publications, including Sentinel, Airforce and CFB Comox's base newspaper, Totem Times. I enjoyed his articles and he was a good, informative writer.

I met Sgt. Banky in 1998 when I was a Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA) administration officer and he was posted to the Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Victoria. He retired that year to join the Victoria Police Department, and later became a staff officer at the Sidney Air Cadet squadron. In June 2003, then a Lieutenant, he was awarded the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal.

Al died on October 11, 2003 of a heart attack at the age of 39. Nearly 1,000 people attended the funeral despite pouring rain.

I attended the funeral and reception where friends, family and colleagues stood before the gathering to tell some of their favourite stories about him.

Quite a few of Al's fellow rescuers were also there and I was impressed to see a Meritorious Service Cross, a Chief of Defence Staff Commendation, a Commander-in-Chief Unit Commendation, a Meritorious Service Medal, and at least three Medals of Bravery on various uniforms.

These are tangible symbols of appreciation from the nation for their heroic acts, but much of their work still goes unrecognized.

One of Al's closest friends is Sgt. Dale Robillard, an instructor at the Canadian Forces School of Search and Rescue. I showed him a poem I wrote after the loss of Labrador 305, and he urged me to read it out loud to the gathering. I did and it was well received. Talking to Dale later, I said I felt "a bit awkward around all of you 'professional rescuers.' I'm just a volunteer." He disagreed and assured me that volunteers are just as valuable as the "paid professionals." All of us, working as a team, are crucial to the success of search and rescue…that others may live.

Working as a team
CASARA members receive the same spotter training as the Canadian Forces. Mentally, it's a very demanding task, requiring total concentration; shifts are 20 minutes long. You're flying over a search area, scouring land, sea or coastline for that one sign or signal you need to see. The casualty still has to be rescued and almost certainly needs medical attention.

But half the mission is now complete, and the SAR Techs and other aircrew are much more alert and prepared than if they'd had to do all the searching themselves.

For the last few years, CASARA has been an official part of the Canadian Forces annual SAREX and competition, and I believe this is a reflection of our worth. I'm proud to be part of it, and the words of this SAR Tech made me feel like I really do belong.

Marie Woodruff is with Aircrew/Search HQ/Administration of the B.C. Provincial Emergency Program (Air), CASARA Vancouver Island Zone, Victoria, B.C.

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