National Search and Rescue Program
The National Search and Rescue Program is the name given by the Government of Canada to the collective search and rescue activities in Canada. Until 2015, the NSP was administered by the National Search and Rescue Secretariat.
Although the NSP is neither defined nor operated as a formal program of the Government of Canada, the primary goal of the NSP is understood to be saving lives at risk by providing response and prevention services throughout Canada's Search and Rescue Region of Responsibility. This area includes all of Canada's land mass as well as areas of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic oceans as designated by the International Maritime Organization and International Civil Aviation Organization. By this definition, the NSP encompasses federal departments, provincial and territorial governments, municipalities, non-profit organizations, and volunteers working together to provide search and rescue in Canada.
Organizational structure
;1986-2015The National Search and Rescue Secretariat was established in 1986 as a national coordinating authority for SAR policy in Canada, as one of the key recommendations resulting from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Ocean Ranger disaster. The NSS operated for almost thirty years as an independent portfolio organization within the Department of National Defence, reporting directly to the Minister of National Defence. During this time, the Minister of National Defence was the Lead Minister for Search and Rescue in the Government of Canada.
The NSS operated out of 275 Slater Street in Ottawa, providing dedicated communications services to the National SAR Program including a quarterly magazine, SARscene and annual conference; facilitating federal, provincial/territorial, and regional SAR program coordinating committees; administering the SAR New Initiatives fund, a contribution program aimed at enhancing the practice of search and rescue in Canada; leading Canada's participation in the international satellite system for search and rescue, COSPAS-SARSAT; and delivering programs aimed at promoting safety and preparedness. The NSS also enabled formal recognition of outstanding contributions of the national search and rescue community through the annual National SAR Program Awards of Excellence
;2015 onward
In July 2015, the Secretariat was absorbed into the Emergency Management and Programs branch of Public Safety Canada. The Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness assumed responsibility for the National SAR Program, although it is not known if the title and associated responsibilities of 'Lead Minister for Search and Rescue' were also formally carried forward.
Delivery of SAR services in Canada
The delivery of search and rescue services in Canada continues to be partitioned according to the geographic, functional, and government jurisdiction in which a person happens to find themselves in distress, as described below:Aviation and Marine Search and Rescue
The Department of National Defence is the lead federal department responsible for providing and coordinating SAR response for incidents involving aircraft. This is accomplished through the Royal Canadian Air Force, which provides personnel for the three Joint Rescue Coordination Centres as well as various dedicated SAR squadrons of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is tasked with responding to emergencies involving vessels that occur in waters of federal responsibility; this includes all navigable ocean waters on Canada's Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic coasts, plus the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence River, and portions of connecting waterways. This is accomplished through the Canadian Coast Guard, which provides personnel for the three JRCCs, as well as various dedicated SAR vessels for inshore, near shore and off shore operations.
The three JRCCs are:
- Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Halifax, responsible for the Halifax Search and Rescue Region
- Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Trenton, responsible for the Trenton Search and Rescue Region
- Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Victoria, responsible for the Victoria Search and Rescue Region
Federal air resources
Air resources for responding to search and rescue incidents in Canada are coordinated by, and often supplied by, the Royal Canadian Air Force. Due to their rapid response, air resources are often the first equipment tasked to respond in remote inland, coastal or offshore locations, regardless of whether it is for an aircraft or marine incident.- The RCAF provides all primary air resources for responding to a federal air or marine SAR incident. RCAF squadrons dedicated to SAR operations are stationed at CFB Gander, CFB Greenwood, CFB Trenton, CFB Winnipeg, and CFB Comox. Combat support squadrons are also located at CFB Cold Lake, CFB Bagotville, and CFB Goose Bay.
- Other aircraft operated by other federal government departments and agencies such as the RCMP, Department of Transport, or the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Canadian Coast Guard may be requested as secondary air resources by the RCAF.
- The Civil Air Search and Rescue Association supplies civilian aircraft flown by volunteer pilot owners in support of the RCAF's SAR operations upon the request of the RCAF.
- Under ICAO conventions, any aircraft of opportunity that may be transiting the search area may be requested by the RCAF to participate in the search, provided the aircraft of opportunity is able to.
Federal marine resources
- The CCG provides all primary marine resources for responding to SAR incidents in waters of federal jurisdiction. This includes dedicated SAR vessels stationed at strategic locations as well as the rest of the CCG fleet.
- Other vessels operated by other federal government departments and agencies such as the Royal Canadian Navy or RCMP may be requested as secondary marine resources by the CCG.
- The Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary supplies civilian vessels sailed by volunteer owners in support of the CCG's SAR operations upon the request of the CCG.
- Under IMO conventions, any vessel of opportunity that may be transiting the search area may be requested by the CCG to participate in the search, provided the vessel of opportunity is able to.
Ground and Inland Water Search and Rescue
National Parks
Within Canada's national parks, a federal jurisdiction, SAR resources and operations are supplied and coordinated by Parks Canada. This also includes national marine conservation areas, national park reserves, national historic sites, and national historic canals. In larger national parks that see a high degree of visitor usage, or have unique dangers for park visitors, Parks Canada supplies its own dedicated SAR resources in the form of specialized staff and equipment. Parks Canada may also request support from other federal resources, including the RCAF, CCG, Royal Canadian Mounted Police as well as provincial/territorial or municipal resources, depending on the location of the incident.Provinces and Territories
In areas of provincial or territorial jurisdiction, SAR resources are coordinated by provincial or territorial governments. Response to, and the coordination and supply of resources to, a ground or inland water SAR incident in a province or territory is the responsibility of the provincial or territorial police agency. That police agency, in coordination with the provincial or territorial government, may request federal resources to assist in responding to a ground or inland water SAR incident. This is often in the form of RCAF or CASARA aircraft and occasionally in the form of CCG or CCGA vessels. In the more remote parts of Canada, the Canadian Rangers may be requested to perform search and rescue missions in support of federal and provincial/territorial cases. These requests are coordinated through inter-government agreements.Commercial air operators, in particular those operating helicopters, are also frequently called upon to assist provincial and territorial authorities with ground and inland water search and rescue missions. Many are certified to Transport Canada standards in the use of Helicopter Flight Rescue Systems or Helicopter External Transport Systems, and train routinely with the volunteer and Parks Canada specialists who conduct these types of rescue missions.
All provinces and territories have volunteer ground search and rescue organizations that are available to assist the responding police agency by providing trained searchers, equipment, and local knowledge. Some volunteer teams have advanced capabilities in search management and high-angle, swift water, ice, and/or avalanche rescue. Canine teams specialized in search and rescue are also an important component of the GSAR volunteer community. The is the national body representing ground and inland water SAR volunteers in Canada.
;Alberta
In Alberta, the provincial government agency responsible for coordinating volunteer ground and inland water SAR is the . The RCMP is contracted to provide provincial policing services in Alberta and they, or a municipal police force, are responsible for responding to ground and inland water SAR incidents in the province; however, this responsibility may be delegated to other agencies, namely Kanaskis Country Public Safety section of Alberta Environment and Parks. Volunteer ground search and rescue teams are represented by the .
;British Columbia
In British Columbia, the provincial government agency responsible for coordinating volunteer ground and inland water SAR is . The RCMP is contracted to provide provincial policing services in British Columbia and they, or a municipal police force, are responsible for responding to ground and inland water SAR incidents in the province. Volunteer ground search and rescue teams are represented by the .
;Manitoba
In Manitoba, the provincial government agency responsible for coordinating volunteer ground and inland water SAR is the . The RCMP is contracted to provide provincial policing services in Manitoba and they, or a municipal police force, are responsible for responding to ground and inland water SAR incidents in the province. Volunteer ground search and rescue teams are represented by .
;Newfoundland and Labrador
In Newfoundland and Labrador, the provincial government agency responsible for coordinating volunteer ground and inland water SAR is . Policing services in Newfoundland and Labrador are shared between the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary in urban areas and the RCMP in rural areas. These police agencies are responsible for responding to ground and inland water SAR incidents in the province. Volunteer ground search and rescue teams are represented by the .
;New Brunswick
In New Brunswick, the provincial government agency responsible for coordinating volunteer ground and inland water SAR is the . The RCMP is contracted to provide provincial policing services in New Brunswick and they, or a municipal police force, are responsible for responding to ground and inland water SAR incidents in the province. Volunteer ground search and rescue teams are represented by the .
;Northwest Territories
In the Northwest Territories, the territorial government agency responsible for coordinating volunteer ground and inland water SAR is the . The RCMP is contracted to provide policing services in the Northwest Territories and are responsible for responding to ground and inland water SAR incidents in the territory. Volunteer ground search and rescue teams are represented by the .
;Nova Scotia
In Nova Scotia, the provincial government agency responsible for coordinating volunteer ground and inland water SAR is the . The RCMP is contracted to provide provincial policing services in Nova Scotia and they, or a municipal police force, are responsible for responding to ground and inland water SAR incidents in the province. Volunteer ground search and rescue teams are represented by the .
;Nunavut
In Nunavut, the territorial government agency responsible for coordinating volunteer ground and inland water SAR is . The RCMP is contracted to provide policing services in Nunavut and are responsible for responding to ground and inland water SAR incidents in the territory. Volunteer ground search and rescue teams are represented by the .
;Ontario
In Ontario, the provincial government agency responsible for coordinating volunteer ground and inland water SAR is . The Ontario Provincial Police provides all provincial policing services in Ontario and they, or a municipal police force, are responsible for responding to ground and inland water SAR incidents in the province. Volunteer ground search and rescue teams are represented by the .
;Prince Edward Island
In Prince Edward Island, the provincial government agency responsible for coordinating volunteer ground and inland water SAR is the . The RCMP is contracted to provide provincial policing services in Prince Edward Island and they, or a municipal police force, are responsible for responding to ground and inland water SAR incidents in the province. Volunteer ground search and rescue teams are represented by the .
;Quebec
In Quebec, the provincial government agency responsible for coordinating volunteer ground and inland water SAR is the . The Sûreté du Québec provides all provincial policing services in Quebec and they, or a municipal police force, are responsible for responding to ground and inland water SAR incidents in the province. Volunteer ground search and rescue teams are represented by the .
;Saskatchewan
In Saskatchewan, the provincial government agency responsible for coordinating volunteer ground and inland water SAR is the . The RCMP is contracted to provide provincial policing services in Saskatchewan and they, or a municipal police force, are responsible for responding to ground and inland water SAR incidents in the province. Volunteer ground search and rescue teams are represented by the .
;Yukon
In Yukon, the territorial government agency responsible for coordinating volunteer ground and inland water SAR is the . The RCMP is contracted to provide policing services in Yukon and are responsible for responding to ground and inland water SAR incidents in the territory. Volunteer ground search and rescue teams are represented by the .