SAREX 2009

The Canadian Military National SAREX was held between 20 – 26 September in Gander, NL. Canadian teams from Search and Rescue squadrons across Canada and a team from the United States attended the event along with CASARA teams from Thunder Bay, ON, Yarmouth, NS, Halifax, NS, Sydney, NS and St. John’s, NL.

The CASARA Executive, National Administrator and Member Organization Training Officers also attended the SAREX during which two CASARA members from Ottawa, ON demonstrated a new spotter simulator using computers, computer screens and headsets. This simulator was designed and developed by one of the CASARA Ottawa members. The demonstration was well received and it was felt the program was an excellent training aid that could be used in the training of CASARA spotters. It was also pointed out that the simulator could also be adapted to help train CASARA navigators.

The Military teams participated in events such as parachute accuracy, searching for targets, equipment dropping by parachute, helicopter rescue and medical exercises. A civilian parachute team also attended the SAREX to demonstrate tandem parachute jumping techniques. One CASARA member was given the opportunity to participate in a tandem jump. They had never parachuted before and were known to be afraid of heights. However, this did not deter them from “jumping” at the chance to do a tandem freefall parachute descent from an altitude of 10,000 feet. Several CASARA members met the CASARA jumper on their arrival at the landing zone and were heard making the following comments about the jump. Comments such as “ all you could hear were screams of joy coming down from the sky as the jumper descended” and “ all you could see on the jumpers face on landing was their teeth because they were smiling with so much joy on there face”. Congrats goes to Leesee Papatsie, Iqaluit CASARA Zone! (see photos)

The Lieutenant Colonel Colin Goodman National SAR Excellence Award was presented to the 2009 winning team from St. John's, NL. (see photo) This team has been invited to defend their trophy next year at the National SAREX being hosted by 442 Rescue Squadron Comox, BC. Dates to follow.

Overall, the SAREX was a great success. CASARA members who attended learned much about search and rescue techniques, task briefings/debriefings and all said they appreciated the opportunity to attend the event.

Well done to all CASARA SAREX participants!!

Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOA) with Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR)

A Positive Step Forward

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between CASARA Ontario and the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) took...
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SAREX 2009

The Canadian Military National SAREX was held between 20 – 26 September in Gander, NL. Canadian teams from Search and Rescue squadrons across...
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National Policy Manual Amendments

Be advised that the National Policy Manual has been amended. Amended policies are as follows:

G - 010 - List of Effective Pages
G - 030 -...
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