Search and Rescue Providers Meet in Halifax

EMERGENCY MEASURES ORGANIZATION--Search and Rescue Providers Meet in Halifax

Almost 600 search and rescue providers from Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia and New Zealand will meet in Halifax from Sept. 11 to 14 for SARSCENE 2002, the largest annual search and rescue workshop in Canada.

SARSCENE is a unique Canadian forum where the ground, air and marine search and rescue communities gain a broader perspective on co-ordinating challenges and solutions and to learn about the latest developments in search and rescue practices.

SARSCENE is organized annually by the National Search and Rescue Secretariat (NSS), an independent agency of the federal government created in 1986. NSS works with all levels of government, police and emergency services and volunteers to manage and improve search and rescue activities throughout Canada.

The local host organization, the Nova Scotia Ground Search and Rescue Association, and the provincial Emergency Measures Organization are supporting the NSS in staging SARSCENE 2002.

In a major emergency, the Emergency Measures Organization (NS) becomes the window to needed provincial and federal resources. The Emergency Measures Organization (NS) also supports the emergency management process by providing training, advice and evaluation to emergency responders and planners for all three levels of government, as well as the private sector.

Each year, search and rescue specialists answer thousands of distress calls from across Canada. Their devotion is reflected in the theme of this year's SARSCENE workshop, No call for help goes unanswered.

SARSCENE 2002 brings together some of the best and most experienced SAR providers from across Canada and around the world

• volunteer, military, provincial, territorial and national agencies. It features search and rescue presentations, a trade show, outdoor demonstrations, an awards banquet and the annual SARSCENE games.

SARSCENE provides a forum for enhancing search and rescue knowledge and skills among full-time and volunteer participants, improving their ability to save lives. This year's workshop also includes a celebration to mark the 20th anniversary of COSPAS- SARSAT, the international search and rescue satellite system that has saved more than 14,000 lives.

Public events during SARSCENE include:

• Sept. 11: Wreath-laying ceremony to honour emergency services workers who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, Grand Parade, 5:30 p.m.;
• Sept. 11: SARSCENE games, Sir Sanford Fleming Park, 8:30 a.m.
• 4 p.m.;
• Sept. 14: Waterfront marine and air search and rescue Demonstrations, Purdy's Wharf; Tour of Coast Guard ship, Cable Wharf, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.; and
• Sept. 15: Trade show; Casino Nova Scotia Hotel; 8:30 a.m.- noon.

Other events restricted to registered delegates include:

• Sept. 12-14: Workshop presentations, Casino Nova Scotia Hotel, 8:15 a.m. - 5 p.m.; and
• Search and rescue awards; Casino Nova Scotia Hotel; September 14, 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.

The search and rescue awards include a presentation of the 2002 Outstanding Search and Rescue Award and certificates of achievement. This year's recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award will go to John Kelly of the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association. In a career that spans more than 33 years, Mr. Kelly has not only saved numerous lives, putting himself at risk, but has provided training to thousands of military and civilian search and rescue workers.

Recipients of the certificates of achievement include Cpl. Jim Galloway, RCMP, Sherwood Park, Alta.; Eric Langley, Cape Breton SAR, Sydney, N.S.; Tim Jones, North Shore Rescue Team, North Vancouver, B.C.; Denis Maurice, Georgian Bay SAR, Georgian Bay, Ont.; and Robert Petitpas, Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, Sorel, Que.

Organizations assisting in the search and rescue demonstrations include the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre - Halifax, Department of National Defence, Canadian Coast Guard, RCMP, Parks Canada Agency and the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary.