Arctic Search and Rescue
The Toronto Star ran a story today on a performance review study by the RCAF on the effectiveness of their SAR bases.
While it recommended changes to the East Coast Base, it stated "the study finds little reason for a dedicated Arctic rescue team, despite high-profile disasters last year that led to renewed calls for a more robust northern presence." I find this hard to believe (the claim, not that it was made), especially with activity ramping up in a warming climate. SAR response times to the Territories are measured in hours which really takes the word 'effective' out of 'effective response'.
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- Post Date:
- January 27, 2012
- Posted By:
- Richard Kinchlea
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This is a discussion forum for to facilitate discussion on general emergency management topics that would not more appropriately fit in one of the other more specific discussion forums.
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Amen, Richard. Have a look at www.beaumontcomm.blogspot.com
for someone else's perspective on the subject. The Beaublog has been arguing for a more comprehensive review of the factors involved in Arctic SAR for some time. If you know of another forum with an interest in the subject, be glad to hear about it. Happy to have your thoughts posted in the "comments" format of the Beaublog.
Hmm let me think.
Is anyone taking notes? this is high-seas drama in the making.
It would be interesting to see what the Canadian Coast Guard and the Auxialary units are up to in the arctic region and if this has already increased call volumes there. This is going to be high seas excitement for sure!
Hello, First post here. I think what might be lacking in the report is the what RCAFs SAR mandate entails. Currently, they are only responsible for air and marine based incidents. This means any land cases (lost hikers, snowmobilers etc) fall under the jurisdiction of the province, who can request federal resources which may or may not be provided. So, when they say there is little need for a northern SAR base part of it is because they are not even considering land based incidents in their assessment, which tend have a higher case volume compared to air and marine.
Furthermore, providing two Hercs for an Arctic SAR base is by no means a solution. Yes, they will be 'on scene' to provide some level of help faster than deploying from N.S., but there is still the problem of extracting the victims and Sar Techs(if deployed). Extracting victims as soon as possible is essential in the north where factors such as hypothermia become a primary concern. This means a rotary wing asset is required which, in this case, would be still be deployed from Gander N.L.… hours away. If the RCAF ever decides to move forward with a Northern SAR base, medium to heavy lift helicopters are essential.
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