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SAR NEWS

Toddler saved from crashed Cessna

From left to right: Sgt Scott Elliston, Don McTighe base manager for Alpine Helicopters, Ian Foss from Golden Search and Rescue and MCpl Bruno Lapointe Photo Credit: Department of National Defence

Three-year-old Kate Williams' story of survival made national headlines when she was rescued from a crashed Cessna outside of Golden, British Columbia on Sunday October 28. The Cessna 172 she was traveling in crashed about an hour after take off, killing her grandfather, Allen D. Williams and a friend Steven T. Sutton.

A chopper from Alpine Helicopters Ltd. was tasked by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre to assist in the search, piloted by Don McTighe. Sgt Scott Elliston and MCpl Bruno Lapointe, search and rescue (SAR) technicians from the Canadian Forces, as well as Ian Foss, a ground searcher from Golden Search and Rescue, boarded the helicopter and were able to get down to the crash site before dark.

SAR professionals found Kate William in the upside-down plane on the edge of an icy riverbank with only minor injuries. She had been hanging upside-down by the seat straps in which her grandfather had put her, for five hours. When speaking with the toddler, SAR personnel reported that she asked for her stuffed bear, which comforted Kate until she was reunited with her parents.

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Canadian SAR coming to prime-time television

Production is underway on The Guard, a Canadian television show on search and rescue which is slated to air on Global Television in early 2008. A joint production with Vancouver-based Brightlight Pictures and DHX Media's Halifax Film, The Guard comprises of 13, one hour episodes.

The Guard is a character-driven ensemble drama delving into the lives of four members of a Canadian Coast Guard Search and Rescue team serving in the Pacific Northwest. The series explores the stories of these four heroes in the region where the Pacific Ocean collides with Canada's mountainous coastline.

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Ontario government continues to invest in urban SAR

The Ontario provincial government announced that they will continue to invest in Toronto's Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR). Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister, Rick Bartolucci, made the announcement on the eve of a national exercise conducted in Toronto that brought Canada's five HUSAR teams together. National exercises such as this one help to increase coordination between responders and assist in training.

The Ontario provincial government is providing $300,000 in annual funding to help support the training, administration and operation of Toronto's HUSAR team. The team is made up of fire, police and emergency medical staff, as well as physicians, specialists in structural engineering, hazardous materials, heavy rigging, search and logistics.

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Newfoundland fishermen rescued from burning vessel - honoured by Prime Minister

The fishing vessel Nautical Legacy was consumed by flames Photo Credit: DFO/ Provincial Airlines

On December 1 2007, Prime Minister Stephen Harper met the crew from the Nautical Legacy in Port de Grave, Newfoundland and Labrador. Six fishermen were rescued from the icy waters of the Atlantic when the Nautical Legacy, a longliner, caught fire and burned down to the waterline on May 30, 2007.

The rescue story made national headlines in May when the six crew members survived one hour and 40 minutes in the icy Atlantic waters. One of the crew members, 18-year old Michael Petten, was without an immersion suit. Most people who are submerged in icy waters without a survival suit only survive 30 minutes. The men stayed alive by attaching themselves to a fishing hoist and surrounding Michael Petten to keep him warm.

The Prime Minister took the opportunity to honour the efforts of the crew members as well as the rescuers that plucked the fishermen from the icy waters. "Although what's left of the Nautical Legacy is now on the ocean floor", said Harper, "her legacy is to serve as a reminder that emergency training and search and rescue operations are there to keep seafaring Newfoundlanders and Labradorians safe."

CBC News had reported on the incident by stating that Sergeant Dave Payne, who dropped into the water from a Cormorant, credited a fixed-wing charter aircraft with providing the crew valuable information about what awaited the search and rescue technicians. The crew from the Cormorant helicopter from Gander 103 Search and Rescue Squadron rescued the six men and airlifted them to safety.

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SAR team purchases hovercraft in remembrance

Family of Corporal Randy Herman, Tammy and Tyler Herman at the launch of the Hermanator Photo Credit: Ridge Meadows SAR

Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue (RMSAR) has purchased its long sought after hovercraft and officially launched it during their Annual Safety Boating Day on July 14, 2007. Dubbed the Hermanator, the hovercraft will enable RMSAR and others to make direct contact with subject during searches on Pitt Lake and the Fraser River which have proven to be problematic in the past.

"As a result of the tidal influence, boaters on Pitt Lake are often stranded on the sandbars. These sandbars have also caused several accidents when a boat impacts them at high speed. The hovercraft will enable us to access the scene and make direct contact with the subjects." says Richard Laing, Team Leader at RMSAR.

The Hermanator also serves the legacy of the community member and police officer which it is named after, Corporal Randy Herman. When Corporal Herman passed away in 2006, his family requested that donations be made towards the purchase of a hovercraft.

"It's very unfortunate how it came about but the purchase of the hovercraft is a much needed tool for us", says Mr. Laing. RMSAR already has three operators that are trained to operate the hovercraft.

RMSAR had been raising funds for the purchase of the Hermanator for quite some time but the possibility of large scale flooding in the province accelerated the process. The Province of British Columbia and the City of Pitt Meadows contributed to purchase the hovercraft and a trailer because of its utility in flood response.

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BC announces funding for SAR teams

In April 2007, British Columbia's Solicitor General, The Honourable John Les, announced additional government support for emergency response and search and rescue (SAR) teams in the province. The threat of flooding in the province was the catalyst to the allocation of funds, valued at three-quarters of a million dollars.

The support will come in form of swift water and helicopter rescue training courses, equipment for SAR volunteer teams, specialized radio equipment for air SAR volunteers as well as the delivery of mobile radio kits. As part of the BC Flood Plan, this support will help teams better prepare for a major flood disaster and will increase the effectiveness of response strategies in the province.

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Video on 406 MHz ELTs available

The Next Generation ELT is a video produced by Transport Canada on the upgrade of 121.5 MHz Emergency Locating Transmitters (ELTs) to 406 MHz. The video is available in French or English and in CD-ROM or VHS (NTSC/ SECAM/ PAL) format.

This video shows the benefits of the 406 MHz beacons. Given that the International Cospas-Sarsat system will stop satellite processing of121.5/ 243 MHz signals as of February 1st, 2009, it is important that this information be communicated broadly.

For more information and to view a clip of the video, visit the Transport Canada Shop.

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Edmonton raises awareness during Emergency Preparedness Week

SAR Dog Association of Alberta was present at Get Ready in the Park Photo Credit: Office of Emergency Preparedness, City of Edmonton

The city of Edmonton marked National Emergency Preparedness Week by showcasing their response capabilities during Get Ready in the Park, an event aimed at raising awareness and teaching the public how to cope during emergency situations. Participants included Edmonton Regional Search and Rescue and the Search and Rescue Dog Association of Alberta along with 16 other organizations.

The theme for this year's event was We're ready - are you? which included demonstrations and information kits for the public. Those who attended were able to learn how to prepare themselves and their families for such things as search and rescue scenarios in the outdoors and severe floods.

Mike Cook from the Office of Emergency Preparedness in Edmonton notes that the event was a great success: "Close to 7, 500 people came out for the event. Plans are already underway for next year and I hope to have a bigger and better showcase for the public."

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