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GROUND SAR

Nova Scotia first in Canada to establish guidelines for volunteers with Parks Canada and EMO

by Ginny Miller

Guidelines are now in place to ensure consistency when Nova Scotia's ground search and rescue (SAR) volunteers assist in searches on Parks Canada property.

In early March 2004, the Emergency Measures Organization (EMO), the Nova Scotia Ground SAR Association and Parks Canada signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlining the roles and responsibilities of each organization when searches for lost or missing persons take place in national parks.

This agreement, between Parks Canada and a volunteer group, is the first of its kind in Canada. The need for this agreement came about, in part, because of the distinctly different legislation of Parks Canada. As Mike Lester, executive director of EMO points out, "this agreement was put in place to formalize a process to ensure that rescue procedures would continue as originally intended."

The main purpose of this agreement is to mutually develop standard operating procedures and provide consistency for searches on Parks Canada property.

The backbone of this agreement is the Nova Scotia Ground SAR Association. They take the burden off EMO, and as Mr. Lester puts it, "they deliver the product."

They will also make recommendations to EMO and Parks Canada on improvements to search and rescue training.

Charlie Strickland, president of Nova Scotia's Ground SAR Association said, "this agreement was made possible due to the hard work and support of EMO and Parks Canada, as well as the demonstrated professionalism of the volunteers in Nova Scotia."

Members of EMO, Nova Scotia Ground SAR Association and Parks Canada put pen to paper to sign the first MOU of its kind for search and rescue volunteers in national parks. Front Row (L-R): Carol Whitfield, Parks Canada; Minister Ernest L. Fage; Charlie Strickland, Nova Scotia Ground Search and Rescue Association. Back Row (L-R): Yves Bosse, Parks Canada; Linda Frank, Parks Canada; Keith Crosland, EMO; Mike Lester, EMO. Courtesy of Communications Nova Scotia.

An expanded partnership
The SAR program is currently run in partnership with the RCMP, with support from EMO. Air ambulances have assisted searchers and paramedics have joined in searches. Mr. Lester would like to see even more partnering among related groups, including having similar MOUs in place with every municipal police force.

The Nova Scotia Ground SAR Association consists of 24 teams made up of 1,650 highly trained volunteers. The program supplies this pool of volunteers with a command structure and communication strategy that can be applied to a broad range of emergencies.

Wilderness first-aid course offers real-life scenarios

by Ginny Miller

To prepare for guiding a hiking trip in the Gaspé Peninsula, Québec, I enrolled in the Wilderness and Remote First Aid training course organized by Blair Doyle and Andrew Foran, both certified Instructor Trainers for the Red Cross.

Doyle, who runs Doyle Adventure and Safety, designed a three-day immersion instruction course that attracts outdoorspeople, small craft operators, eco-tourism operators and tour guides.

On the first day, the 20 participants learned the theory and the basics of soft tissue injuries, hypothermia, treating minor injuries, splinting and CPR. The group met again and spent 18 hours putting their new-found knowledge into practice by setting up scenarios and taking turns being victims and rescuers. At night, Doyle and Foran, along with other instructors, set up a mock tragic boating accident on the shore of the lake. There were a number of victims, including a belligerent (possibly inebriated) father, a seriously injured mother and a missing five-year-old boy.

"If you're 50 miles into the wilderness, and out of range for 911, don't have a heart attack or break your femur. Most other things you can deal with," says Blair Doyle of Halifax Regional Search and Rescue. Photos by Blair Doyle.

We followed the sounds of distress with just flashlights to guide us. Arriving at the chaotic accident scene, we found a woman screaming for help, holding a child's life jacket.

We were able to treat some victims for shock, hypothermia and a broken arm, but the little boy didn't recover.

By Sunday afternoon, the group was emotionally and physically spent, but better prepared for heading out in the woods.

For more information about Doyle Adventure and Safety courses, visit the website.

Ginny Miller is a freelance writer and recent public relations graduate. She has also earned her Wilderness Survival/First Aid certificate.

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