|
SAR NEW INITIATIVES FUND
Multilingual video helps reduce number and severity
of SAR incidents in Nunavut
With no consistent communication for Nunavut visitors to address the hazards
of Arctic wilderness travel and an increased focus on tourism in the area,
it stands to reason an increase in SAR incidents is on the horizon.
However, collaboration between the Government of Nunavut and Parks Canada
led to the development of a prevention project aimed at reducing the number
and severity of such incidents.
With funds provided by the SAR New Initiatives Fund, the Government of
Nunavut and Parks Canada developed a video to highlight the experience
and skills necessary to stay safe in the challenging Arctic environment.
The video, narrated in seven languages, was widely distributed as copies
were sent to visitor centers, tour operators, gateway communities, libraries
and national parks.
PC 6/00
The OPP takes action against alcohol-related SAR
According to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), search and rescue resources
are engaged on a daily basis because of inappropriate alcohol consumption.
As a direct result of this, approximately 48 to 60 people die in Ontario
each year on the busiest trails and waterways.
Conducted in partnership with Emergency Management Ontario and delivered
by the OPP, Ontario's primary ground and marine SAR provider, the goal
of the Fatal Vision Challenge project is to change these statistics.
The project involves an interactive educational program which allows the
public to learn first-hand the effects of alcohol on the human body while
operating a recreational vehicle.
OPP members, partner agencies and volunteers provide demonstrations province-wide
at outdoor shows, fairs and exhibitions. The project primarily targets
people between the ages of 12 and 18 who are using (or will use) recreational
vehicles or vessels; however, adults can also gain from the demonstration.
Parents and other adults often engage the OPP officers in discussions
after the demonstration.
The project uses a trailer with a computerized, motion-based audio-visual
system to demonstrate the effects of alcohol. As well, there are five
smaller, more portable Challenge units to travel to less formal venues,
such as local service and community groups and remote locations.
This initiative allows the OPP to reach at-risk populations through one-on-one
interaction with high-risk users.
When not being used for educational presentations, the trailer will be
used to support SAR operations.
The Fatal Vision Challenge project is part of a group of Ontario SAR initiatives
funded by SAR NIF in 2005.
ON 1/05
Project addresses public safety in Cree First Nation
community
Using the rivers and bay waters as highways is part of the traditional
lifestyle for many James Bay Cree community members. Many continue traditional
pursuits of hunting and fishing which involve traveling up to 100 km by
land and water.
Not only do the community members do this, but with the increase in tourism
in the James Bay, Hudson Bay areas and Mushkegowuk region, visitors are
engaging in wilderness travel across the region.
Ontario's far north, including the Mushkegowuk region, has an emergency
incident rate that is higher than provincial norms. According to Moose
Factory SAR, the number of SAR-related incidents has increased over the
past 15 years. Since 1990, the annual average response has increased 600
per cent.
In order to increase awareness and address public safety concerns regarding
wilderness travel, a new prevention campaign, called Rise and Survive,
is being developed by the Institute for Far North Emergency Preparedness
and Response Training and Development in consultation with Moose Cree
First Nation and Moose Factory SAR.
In partnership with Emergency Management Ontario and funded by the SAR
New Initiatives Fund, the project will have a two-pronged approach to
public safety. Firstly it will raise public awareness about the need for
increased knowledge and skill for those traveling through the remote areas
of the region. Secondly, it will provide education materials and training
to increase the knowledge base for the Mushkegowuk communities. All information
materials will be available in English and in Cree.
The Rise and Survive project is part of a group of Ontario SAR initiatives
funded by SAR NIF in 2005.
ON 1/05
Public Service Announcements make the difference
A 30-second public service announcement (PSA) can make a difference and
the proof is on the radio and television.
A series of 10 summer and 10 winter activities or issues were highlighted
in the 30-second spots and played on local radio and television stations
in both English and French to increase awareness that safety is a shared
responsibility. Each PSA focused on a single issue and there was a total
of 80 messages disseminated to the public.
Funded by the SAR New Initiatives Fund and sponsored by Parks Canada,
the project was developed to encourage Canadians to obtain and use the
knowledge and equipment necessary to make decisions that could potentially
reduce the risk and severity of SAR incidents.
The long term goal is to reduce the number of SAR incidents in National
Parks and National Historic Sites by ensuring visitors are aware of various
safety issues.
The PSAs were distributed to 98 television stations and 378 radio stations
across the country.
PC 3/02
NIF news
Much of the work done over the past months to renew the NIF program will
strengthen the management, monitoring, reporting and financial performance
of the fund. This work is largely complete, and the renewed administrative
and financial processes are now in place. The NSS is developing new tools
to help applicants and partners: a simplified application form, manual
and guide, which will be available this spring.
A training session will be held in Ottawa in June for managing departments
and agencies across Canada.
Fourteen projects that could not be funded in 2005-06 were carried over
for funding in 2006-07, and are now underway.
The role of Federal managing departments and agencies has been strengthened
and now includes increased management responsibilities under the renewed
program.
Call for new projects
A call for new proposals will be issued this spring for projects to begin
in 2007-08.
New tools will be ready at that time and will provide clear instructions
on the new processes.
Anyone with a project in mind should first consult their SAR partner to
ensure it fits within their overall priority for SAR.
The NSS will no longer receive proposals directly from provinces and territories;
instead, each provincial/ territorial partner will screen proposals at
the regional level to ensure they are aligned to their own SAR priorities,
and group them under a single omnibus proposal to the NSS.
More information about the SAR
New Initiatives Fund
Back to Table of Contents
|
