[SaraHap] SARA Happenings August 2010

Mon Aug 16 13:27:58 MDT 2010

Hi All: 

SARA Happenings is issued to foster communication within the Search and Rescue community in Alberta. It is going to 226 e_mail addresses that are listed as the primary contact of SAR Alberta member groups or which were requested to be added to the mailing list.

Subscription and unsubscription information is at the end of the newsletter. 

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FROM THE BOARD 

Please distribute as wide and far as possible: From: daryl.black at incidentleadership.ca 

Though the summer months typically see a slowdown of activity, this year is an exception. With so many things going on (to include a number of high profile searches) the Executive of SAR Alberta has been very busy. I'd like to apologize for the lack of communication over the past few months but rest assured that there are things going on even though we tend to keep our nose down and butt up a bit too much as we doggedly pursue resolutions to outstanding issues and shape the present and future of SAR in Alberta on your behalf. The commo blackout has also meant a lengthy and arduous read below so for that I apologize.

The activities have been centred around ensuring the SAR community is well_represented, accepted and respected as critical stakeholders who work in partnership with AEMA and the RCMP for example. To that end we are achieving that goal. The following sections are some of the highlights of what we've been up to:

SEARCH AND RESCUE ALBERTA TOPICS

SAR AB_ Standards Meeting

Al Tomalty, continuing his outstanding work as Standards Chair for SAR Alberta, is conducting a Standards Committee meeting at the end of this month. Watch the SAR Alberta website for the current standards as we put them up for member download and reference.

ALBERTA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY TOPICS

AEMA_ FESTI_ Fire, Emergency Services Training Initiative

The FESTI project is going along at a rapid pace. For background check out: http://festi.alberta.ca/festi/ 

1. From a SAR perspective, the FESTI Program held a conference call with members of various SAR disciplines to include GSAR, tech rescue, heavy urban, canine and dive. The purpose was to socialize the FESTI program with individuals and determine any glaring errors or omissions. Nothing major was identified and the FESTI team will be continuing.

2. At the request of Tom Sand, Manager of Training for AEMA, Norm Mathew (Training Chair), Don Drebert (President) and Daryl Black (Vice_President) met to discuss the upcoming months' activity with regard to FESTI and some of the things we'll be working jointly on with regard to training. In his words: "Now is the time to shape the future of training delivery in Alberta." To begin, SAR Alberta will be assisting with job performance requirements for SAR responders, basically everything that is needed at all levels of SAR response (ground pounder_ Search Manager and all points in between) to ensure that FESTI and AEMA take into account all of the requirements we need to do our jobs properly. 

In addition, we discussed some pain points and challenges with regard to the current 'system.' We highlighted examples such as inconsistent course delivery, lack of a clear process to distribute course certificates, capacity to deliver the required training, lack of Search and Rescue Alberta influence over some delivery providers and instructors also evaluating their own classes/participants, lack of a clear and accepted accreditation process for trainers. 

We will continue to work with FESTI to shape and influence the future training system. For example, Tom assured us that AEMA, as far as he was concerned, would be the issuing authority for certificates. More updates as they become available. A huge thank you and job well done goes out to Norm Mathew who has painstakingly compiled a list of current instructors and courses. Norm's time and effort has meant that we are ahead of the curve with regard to determining the future of training delivery.

AEMA_ Insurance

Yes, this has been a long and difficult journey.with little visible progress being made. From a SAR Alberta perspective we are committed to working with all parties and have made this our highest priority. AEMA has passed ownership of implementing the province_wide Algoma insurance policy from Trent West, Fire Commissioner to Spence Sample, also of AEMA. Spence has stressed that he wants agreements in place on September 1, 2010. While an extremely aggressive timeline we are leveraging Algoma's administrative resources to prime the contact with the various SAR groups so watch your Inboxes and voicemails for contact from Algoma directly. There is a critical meeting with Algoma, SAR Alberta and AEMA Tuesday, August 10. 

AEMA Training Grant

The application form is being signed off by AEMA in the next couple of weeks so watch the website for that and more accurately watch for an announcement.

AEMA/RCMP_ Meeting with a member of the Tasmanian Law Enforcement Community

As part of a whirlwind tour across North America, a representative from Tasmania wanted to meet with AEMA, the RCMP and representatives form the SAR community to see how we did business. Without going into a lot of detail we are very very progressive and he was extremely impressed with the working relationship and professionalism of the volunteer SAR community here in Alberta. Great work everyone!

R.C.M.P._. 'K' Division HQ Meeting 

The new Search Reports and Expense Forms will be available on the SAR website under the heading RCMP within a few days.

Don Drebert and Daryl Black met with Mike Self and Al Fraser of the RCMP to discuss outstanding issues between the RCMP and SAR AB and the SAR community in general. We brought up the expense rates to be submitted to the detachments by SAR teams and felt that the rates didn't accurately reflect the reality of costs incurred by the teams. After some re_wording and good discussion, the rate sheet was altered, links added and 'K' Division stressed that the rates were guidelines only and that ultimately the costs would be authorized by detachment commanders provided they were reasonable and accurate. 

The sheets provide a guideline only. When available from the SAR website, PLEASE USE THE new FORM AND RATES FOR SUBMISSION FOLLOWING A SEARCH ACTIVITY.

R.C.M.P. Ground Search and Rescue Working Paper 

This was provided to SARA Happenings as a pdf attachment, but the mail program does not handle attachments. It, too, will be available from the SAR website soon.

Mike Self has updated an extensive document as it relates to the RCMP and SAR in Alberta. I'd highly recommend everyone taking a look at this document as it contains a lot of great information for our reference.

R.C.M.P. Evidence Handling and Increased Scrutiny

As part of recent court cases, there will be increasingly intense and extensive scrutiny of witnesses involved in criminal cases, including those relating to a search. While always a factor and concern, it is even more important to ensure members are well trained, their training documented and backgrounds checked. 'K' Division is working to protect those in the SAR community as much as possible and this includes review of current standards and practices as they relate to how SAR members handle and document evidence. More to come, 

RCMP_ Annual District Meetings

Annually each RCMP district holds operational meetings whereby the various detachment commanders meet to discuss issues pertinent to their respective districts and coordinate activities. Seeing this as an excellent opportunity to 'advertise' the vast and very_capable SAR community in Alberta, SAR Alberta and 'K' Division will be working with the various districts to ensure some presentation time at the meetings for local groups, SAR Alberta and 'K' Division headquarters. As the meetings are announced 'K' division will be notifying SAR Alberta and the local SAR groups so that we can get on the agendas to spread the word about what we do and how we do it. 

Daryl D. Black; President; Incident Leadership Canada Inc.

(780) 425_8900 www.incidentleadership.ca 

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