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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Hi Everyone,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Three people have been chosen from the
search and rescue community in <st1:State w:st="on">Alberta</st1:State> to
represent the province at a special training session in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State
w:st="on">Newfoundland</st1:State></st1:place> prior to the national
convention –SARSCENE. They are Natasha Jensen from Little Divide SAR
– Lac La Biche, Carianne Budalich - Grande Prairie SAR and Ian
Oxton – Calgary SAR.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>The two day training session they are
attending is sponsored by SARVAC through a grant from the federal NIF program.
There are two components to the program - the first is to train them to
present a new program developed in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">British
Columbia</st1:State></st1:place> called Adventure Smart. The second component
will teach them how to set up search and rescue exercises.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>These three will then be expected to
bring these programs back to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Alberta</st1:State></st1:place>
to use in our training programs here. A second NIF Project is also being
applied for which would see money being made available for large scale
exercises to be set up in each province and a more formalized process being put
into place to present the Adventure Smart program to the public. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>The current NIF project has been set up
for three years so next year and the year after a new group of people will be
selected to go.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>The three people chosen from <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Alberta</st1:State></st1:place> all have at
least five years in search and rescue and are all instructors of programs
already. Two of them have belonged to more than one team and each is affliated
with other organizations outside of SAR that could also benefit from these
programs.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>SAR Alberta thanks all those that applied
– it was a challenging decision as there were many great candidates. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>We appreciate the timelines were short
for this and that information was somewhat limited. However, after this first
session I’m sure SARVAC will be able to refine the process and provide
more detail for what they require next year. SAR Alberta will also be able to
refine the application process and selection process to make that easier for
everyone as well.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>I’m sure the candidates we have
selected will do a great job for us and I look forward to them sharing their
training with the rest of search and rescue in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State
w:st="on">Alberta</st1:State></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Sincerely.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Monica Ahlstrom<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>President, SAR <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State
w:st="on">Alberta</st1:State></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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