Strategic Directions 2010-2015
National Search and Rescue Program (NSP)
Five Strategic Directions will guide the National SAR Program (NSP) through the 2010-2015 planning period:
STRATEGIC DIRECTION 1: Strengthening the National SAR Program (NSP)
Goal: To develop a multijurisdictional search and rescue policy statement for the National SAR Program (NSP).
Canada's National SAR Program (NSP) is a collection of organizations and activities with a common goal – aiding persons in distress. Various levels of government, industry and volunteers work collaboratively, both within, and frequently overlapping their respective roles, to help prevent, and when necessary, respond to SAR incidents. The development of a multijurisdictional SAR policy will strengthen this network, providing clarity and integration at a strategic level to activities which daily transcend jurisdictional boundaries in order to provide the most effective, efficient SAR system for Canadians.
Over the next five years, the focus for this strategic direction will be in reviewing both the federal and provincial/territorial commitments to the National SAR Program (NSP) and solidifying as required the governance structure and framework of the National SAR program to provide a stronger, better coordinated and fully integrated safety network to Canadians.
STRATEGIC DIRECTION 2: Supporting Volunteers
Goal: To increase the capabilities, assure the sustainability and reduce the risk for volunteers
Volunteers are often described as the "backbone" of the Canadian SAR system. In recognizing the value that volunteers bring to the National SAR Program (NSP) we will strive to maintain and support them as an integral component.
Our focus over the next five years will be to increase their capabilities, assure their sustainability and most importantly, reduce the risks facing volunteers. We will protect this valuable asset by ensuring due diligence and effective risk management, by leveraging policies which support them and through raising public awareness of this critical element of the National SAR Program (NSP).
STRATEGIC DIRECTION 3: Delivering Public Education
Goal: Utilize broad public awareness and targeted outreach to reduce the frequency and severity of SAR incidents
Investing in SAR prevention activities may be the most effective and economical way to save lives by changing behaviour, mitigating risk and informing decision making by the general public. The sustainability of SAR Prevention has been, and continues to be, a funding challenge for SAR partners. Collaborating on a comprehensive national framework for SAR prevention will assist all jurisdictions in managing and sustaining their respective SAR prevention programs, resulting in fewer SAR incidents and fewer lives lost.
Our focus in the next five years will be to coordinate and sustain broad public awareness of key safety messages, through both an online and on-site approach to reach the widest audience with targeted outreach leveraging peer interaction to reach "at risk" populations. A National Prevention Strategy, driven by an evidence based approach through data exploitation will ensure sound management and relevancy of prevention programs across the country.
STRATEGIC DIRECTION 4: Integrating Science and Technology
Ensuring that the National SAR Program (NSP) builds mechanisms to maximize the benefits of science and technology, while proactively identifying and mitigating any negative effects is critical to the future of the National SAR Program (NSP). Technological developments can both benefit and challenge the effectiveness of our program. Harnessing the information collected by various SAR partners can lead to the proactive identification of systemic gaps, and a collaborative approach to address them. A robust beacon registration system can enhance the accuracy of lifesaving information and reduce the possibility of error. Augmenting the radio communications system in a remote area can improve response capability and safeguard responders. Conversely, the mass-marketing of a new SAR alerting product -- without the benefit of an industry standard -- may create problems both for the end-user and for the SAR response system at large.
Our focus over the next five years will be to focus on SAR data and science and technology which support SAR program planning, risk analysis, response effectiveness and system efficiencies.
STRATEGIC DIRECTION 5: Focusing on Northern and Remote SAR
Virtually all economic indicators for the North indicate a pace of development and activity that is on the rise, particularly in the mining, tourism, shipping, and commercial aviation sectors. This increased activity will have an impact on the frequency and or severity of SAR incidents in the North and in Canada's remote areas, and the ability of existing resources to respond.
Our focus for the next five years will be to monitor how development trends in the North and Canada's remote areas are likely to affect the National SAR Program (NSP). From an overarching assessment, building local capacity and leveraging existing infrastructure as well as development opportunities will be important considerations to enable us to meet Northern and remote SAR challenges.
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