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NEW SAR INITIATIVES FUND

New training tools, standards and equipment improve teams' search and rescue delivery

The following five projects are supported by the New Search and Rescue Initiatives Fund.

New equipment helps Québec volunteer group improve communications and response time

Abitibi-Témiscamingue is a remote and rugged region of north-western Quebec. Their volunteer search and rescue (SAR) group often had to rely on borrowed rescue equipment and sought funding to improve their search efficiency, including improved communications and response time. Under the sponsorship of the Sûreté du Québec, and with funding from the New SAR Initiatives Fund, the group now has upgraded SAR equipment, including radios, phones, patient evacuation capabilities and more. The group has also improved SAR prevention by presenting the "Hug-a-Tree and Survive" program to local schools.
Project no QC 2/02

Group's mobile capabilities increased through funding

The Campbell River Search and Rescue (SAR) team realized it needed updated SAR software and hardware to continue operating effectively, particularly on large or multiple searches.

With funding from the New SAR Initiatives Fund and sponsored by B.C. Provincial Emergency Program, Campbell River SAR will now be able to update old computer hardware and software and train group members to use the SAR Manager and mapping programs.

This new equipment will increase the group's mobile SAR capabilities and allow them to work and communicate more effectively with other agencies on searches.

Campbell River SAR's jurisdiction has quadrupled in size because of the disbanding of certain other volunteer groups, so having a mobile command unit is now more important than ever.
Project no BC 10/04

Newfoundland and Labrador develops customized training standards

With 900 members and 27 teams across the province, the Newfoundland and Labrador Search and Rescue Association (NLSARA) wanted to develop a regionally customized set of training and proficiency standards in line with adopted national ground search and rescue (SAR) criteria.

Sponsored by the Department of Justice and funded in part by the New SAR Initiatives Fund, the Association also plans to formalize and share the Boating Safety Partnership Model for Community-Based Program Delivery that exists between NLSARA and the regional Office of Boating Safety.

The teams are responsible for both ground and inland water searches and the formalization of the partnership model will solidify the partnership between the Office of Boating Safety and NLSARA.

The new training program will include GPS training and digital map interfacing for use by ground SAR teams in isolated areas.
Project no NL 1/04

New avalanche learning tools for enhanced multi-agency response

A new strategy for managing multi-agency search and rescue (SAR) avalanche operations is being sponsored by British Columbia's Royal Canadian Mounted Police E Division.

This new strategy addresses basic avalanche safety measures and combines existing best practices for a multi-agency SAR response.
With funding from the New SAR Initiatives Fund, the strategy is geared at paid and unpaid SAR volunteers.

The program allows participants to learn at their own pace through distance learning tools, such as video footage, sound clips and animation, virtual avalanche scenes, self-assessments, chat rooms and links to other sites. Participants will gain a better understanding of avalanche emergency response and their roles and responsibilities in an incident.

Participants won't just have to imagine what happens in an avalanche, but will experience the event through the tools.

Although developed in B.C., the program will have application in other avalanche-prone regions in Canada.
Project no RCMP 2/04

Improved rescue capabilities allows team to offer best chance of survival

The Owen Sound Fire and Emergency Services' (OSFES) goal is to improve its marine search and rescue (SAR) capabilities and provide people involved in marine or air incidents the best chance at survival.

Funded by the New SAR Initiatives Fund and sponsored by Emergency Measures Ontario, the OSFES group will be able to improve its rescue capabilities, including spotting someone in distress and transporting victims to safety.

The team works in cooperation with the Canadian Coast Guard and provides 24/7 coverage of waters surrounding Owen Sound.

Not only are the waters busy with recreational boaters, but the number of flights from the nearby airport has increased from 3,920 in 2002 to approximately 8,000 in 2003. Many of these flights occur over the waters of Owen Sound.

Because acute hypothermia can develop rapidly, an improved response capability is essential.

To improve response and provide the best chance of survival, the team will obtain an inflatable platform, night vision monoculars, stretcher, shield, flotation kit and radar.
Project no ON 4/04

More information about the New SAR Initiatives Fund

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