Search and Rescue Coordinator Position (Details)

Name of province/ territory:

Northwest Territories

City/ Region:

Northwest Territories

Description of Initiative:

The Search and Rescue (SAR) Coordinator provides a single point of contact and a coordinated response for all search and rescue calls within the Northwest Territories (NWT).

Whenever a SAR call is received, the detachment that receives the call contacts the division’s SAR Coordinator, who then mobilizes and coordinates the subsequent search for the missing person(s). The SAR Coordinator is able to call upon resources from within the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) or from other outside agencies, such as the Canadian Coast Guard and civilian search and resuce groups.

Having a single point of contact for all SAR calls is important, due to the high turnover of RCMP officers in the NWT due to it being a limited-duration posting. The single point of contact means that it takes less time to organize a response and contact support services. It also ensures that the service provided is consistent and not dependent on the knowledge/experience of the officers receiving the call.

The SAR Coordinator is also responsible for training all RCMP officers in the NWT in the operation of snowmobiles, ATVs, water transport and winter survival. By having the coordinator provide the training in these areas, the division is able to ensure that the each officer is trained to a minimal standard. During the course of providing this training, the SAR Coordinator becomes familiar with all the officers in the division. The SAR Coordinator’s personal knowledge of the skill level of each officer is a great benefit when organizing, planning and conducting a search, especially in the extreme arctic weather conditions of the NWT.

Initiative Key Objectives:

This initiative has two key objectives:

  • that there be a single point of contact for all SAR calls; and
  • that after a SAR call has been received there is a coordinated response and search for the missing person(s).

Section Responsible for Implementation:

Territorial Emergency Response Coordinator within RCMP 'G' Division’s Criminal Operations Branch.

Key Contact:

Grant Payne
Grant.PAYNE@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Groups/ Agencies/ Key Partners Involved:

  • community groups
  • other government departments/agencies

Level of Involvement (consultative - information sharing) and/or cooperative - direct involvement):

The agencies that participated in this initiative are the Canadian Coast Guard, civilian search and rescue groups, the Joint Research Centre (JRC), and the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA). Their involvement is direct, as they can be called upon to assist with the search of a missing person(s).

Amount of Time Initiative has been in Place:

Since 2003.

Reason for Undertaking the Initiative:

This initiative was undertaken so that there would be a coordinated response to all SAR calls. By having a coordinated response and by using all the available resources, we have been able to improve the NWT’s response to each SAR call.

Resources Required to Implement this Initiative:

Funding had to be secured for one full-time SAR Coordinator (a civilian position in the RCMP). The SAR Coordinator ensures immediate access to resources, arranges and conducts extended security/sovereignty patrols throughout the NWT and is also responsible for the marine watercraft training program and for training RCMP members on snowmobiles and ATVs. The individual works closely with the Canadian Coast Guard as a partner. The incumbent is a retired RCMP police officer who was specialized in training and search and rescue.

Method of Implementation:

The initiative was phased in over several months as more duties were identified and assigned to the coordinator.

Key Outcomes of the Initiative:

The initiative has met all its key objectives. The divison now has a coordinated response to all search and rescue calls. Before the initiative was set up each individual detachment was responsible for conducting any search that they might be called upon to do.

The NWT had experienced an increase in calls for search and rescue services, with an 80% increase in the past nine years. There were available less experienced RCMP members, however increased access to recreational vehicles and increased range of recreational travel. These changes have increased the risk and liability of a non-coordinated response to search and rescue activities. Successful searches now rely on a quick response, local knowledge, inter-agency partners and well-trained RCMP personnel. A single point of contact ensures that valuable time is not lost and the best decisions are made in the least amount of time. Ensuring that SAR responses are effective, consistent and professional is crucial in increasing successful outcomes for SAR activities.

Availability of a Communication Strategy:

No

Key Messages used to Publicize the Initiative:

N/A

Forms of Evaluation by which the Initiative will be Assessed:

  • internal
  • qualitative

Evaluation Completed or Community Feedback Received:

Yes

Summary of the Outcomes:

It has been found that the divison now has a faster and better coordinated response to all SAR calls.

Summary of the Performance Measure Data Collected:

N/A

Economics of Policing Pillars:

Further Details:

This initiative fits into pillars one and two as it has proven to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of 'G' Division's operational services and is the only service of its type in the three northern territories.

Additional Comments or Suggestions:

N/A

Record Entry Date:

2013-08-01

Date modified: