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SAR NEW INITIATIVES FUND

Laser Underwater Camera takes SAR to new depths
After 10 years in the making, the Laser Underwater Camera Image Enhancer (LUCIE) is now available on the market under the name Sea Surveyor.

Developed in the 1990s by Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) Valcartier and funded by the Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund (SAR NIF), LUCIE takes underwater investigation and security to the next level.

LUCIE can identify targets at up to five times greater distances than conventional cameras. As well, its imaging system is able to focus on light reflected from objects a specific distance away, while filtering out light reflected from particles in suspension.

This phenomenon, called backscattering, is found in conventional cameras and makes searching for, and focusing on, articles underwater more difficult. It is estimated that LUCIE will reduce search times by a factor of 10.

LUCIE can be transported aboard small surface boats and used in remotely operated vehicles.

The camera is marketed by D-Fense Ltée and will be used primarily for SAR operations and undersea security operations.
DND 2/01

Safe Catch helps to make fishing a safer occupation
According to an occupational health and safety report, fishing is the most dangerous occupation in Newfoundland and Labrador. And it is getting more dangerous with each passing year.

Over the past 10 years, the rates of reported injuries and fatalities have increased by nearly 100 per cent and the number of SAR incidents has nearly doubled.

To combat this growing problem, researchers at Memorial University of Newfoundland proposed an interdisciplinary research project called Safe Catch, to reduce the number and severity of injuries, fatalities and SAR incidents in the fish harvesting industry.

Funded by the Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund (SAR NIF) and the Canadian Institutes for Health Research, this community safety project identified and interpreted the factors that influence the occupational health and safety of fish harvesters. This data will be used to develop prevention programs, facilitate the planning and delivery of SAR and other services, and improve fishing safety policy.

Through six linked studies on fishing safety, Safe Catch will identify conditions and events surrounding accidents and near-misses. By applying this knowledge to policy and behavioural changes, the program aims to decrease the number and severity of injuries, fatalities and SAR incidents.

Safe Catch uses arts and entertainment as one of several ways to deliver the messages in the community. In one community, organizers began the project with an inter-denominational church service. For the second event, a local songwriter composed a song about safety at sea with lyrics derived from interviews with local fish harvesters. The third event involved school children singing about safety at sea.
DFO 2/03

Vernon SAR increases its rescue capacity
The 60-plus members of the Vernon SAR team in British Columbia cover an area greater than 7,800 sq. km, some of it covered in snow for 10 to 12 months of the year. This area is about one quarter larger than the size of Prince Edward Island.

With such a large area, and a growing population of extreme recreationalists, the group's NIF proposal demonstrated increased high-level training and proper equipment for both day and night searches were needed to decrease the length of searches and, in the end, save more lives.

Through funding from the Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund (SAR NIF), Vernon SAR will equip eight ground SAR teams with rescue equipment by 2007; select specific team members to become trained in avalanche awareness, who will then train other team members; and, increase public awareness with a Vernon SAR Educational Video and other multi-media products.
BC 9/04

Chatham-Kent Police builds night-searching skills
Ontario's Chatham-Kent Police Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) is responsible for search and rescue in its 2,543 sq. km. municipality, most of which is rural.

The project increases CIRT's night search capabilities and improves poor visibility with thermal imaging equipment in combination with aerial support and global positioning satellite (GPS) technology.

Members of CIRT are equipped with a hand-held thermal imaging camera and GPS units to assist them in their ground searches. As well, a local helicopter service is contracted to assist, especially when large areas need to be searched in little time.

In late 2004, CIRT members held a mock SAR incident to practice searching the ground from the air in a helicopter, as well as using the thermal imager and GPS units.
ON 3/04

Inter-agency training improves Manitoba's SAR response
Each year in Manitoba there are approximately six to 10 SAR incidents that require a full provincial response. This means that teams who don't usually work together must come together to provide an efficient SAR response.

With approximately 26 volunteer teams in the province, as well as other federal and provincial partners, the ability to work together is important. And to do so, training together is a must.

Sponsored by the Office of the Manitoba Fire Commissioner and funded by the Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund (SAR NIF), the project will provide each of the SAR partners in Manitoba an opportunity to train together.

Each year, from 2004-05 through to 2006-07, a provincial exercise will be held in a different part of the province in an effort to make the exercises accessible to volunteer teams across Manitoba.

Not only will the teams be able to train together, but will improve their use of Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping systems, hand-held thermal imaging cameras and forward looking infra-red (FLIR) capabilities.

A critical component of the project will provide the teams with winter rescue and survival skills training for the harsh Manitoba winters.
MB 1/04

More information about the New SAR Initiatives Fund

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