*About PDF Documents

SAR TECHNOLOGY

New system modernizes mission co-ordination

The search and rescue mission management system (SMMS), developed by the Canadian Forces and Canadian Coast Guard, is enhancing the way search and rescue (SAR) co-ordination centres control Canada's SAR services.

Captain Rob Mulholland won the 2003 Agatha Bystram award for his work in this system's development. The annual award recognizes leadership in information management, and is named for Agatha Bystram, a pioneer in the management of federal government information.

As project manager for the past 12 months, Capt. Mulholland and his team, along with the SAR Network Operations Control Centre staff in Trenton, have ensured that all Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centres (JRCCs) and primary SAR resources have the same information necessary to carry out an efficient mission.

Coast Guard Officer Scott Miller uses SMMS at JRCC Trenton, during a SAR case. Photo by Capt. Ray Stockermans.

The SMMS records, stores and allows quick retrieval of information that enables the appropriate resources to be tasked during an incident. As well, it enables a more efficient method of passing information to rescue crews.

Major Pat McSorley, former Officer in Charge at Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre (JRCC) Victoria, says this system makes the controller's job easier because all the tools he needs are in one place.

Tools such as electronic case logs, mapping software, SAR unit data, contacts, information on the missing craft, sighting reports are features the coordinator has access to through SMMS. In the past, a variety of paper logs and folders, rolodexes, marine and aeronautical chart cabinets and such were needed.

"These old methods are kept in reserve in case of anemergency, but the reliability of the SMMS and the back-up systems in place make their requirement unlikely," Maj. McSorley noted.

Not only does it improve information management and allow more efficient communications, but the system will be instrumental in evaluating future SAR techniques and procedures.

Fitting the pieces together
"When you're looking for a lost or downed aircraft, it's very much like putting the pieces of a puzzle together," said Capt. Mulholland. "So by ensuring that everyone is on the same page and has all the information, we're making sure that everyone has all the pieces they need."

Roch Carrier, National Librarian and Chair of the Council of Federal Libraries who presented the award, said "Captain Mulholland should be congratulated for his dedication and commitment to integrating and managing this critical system which will help Canada's search and rescue services save thousands of lives."

The system runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is the principal operational tool that controllers use to manage federal SAR operations in Canada.

"The system has proven itself and has made the complex, busy job of co-ordinating SAR cases - inherently a dynamic and often hectic business - more efficient," said Maj. McSorley.

Back to Table of Contents