Royal Canadian Air Force Marks Graduation of 50th Search and Rescue Course

News Release

July 6, 2017 – Comox, B.C. – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan and Royal Canadian Air Force leaders welcomed eleven new Search and Rescue Technicians (SAR Techs) into their trade today at 19 Wing Comox. 

The graduates from the Canadian Forces School of Search and Rescue (CFSSAR) are part of the 50th SAR Tech course in the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) history. The graduation marks the successful completion of an intense year of training that prepares students to become primary care paramedics armed with expertise in land and sea survival, parachuting, mountaineering, diving and flying operations.  

Additional multimedia

Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan reviews the graduating parade of the 50th SAR Tech course in Comox on July 6, 2017. Credit: MS Roxanne Wood
While on parade in Comox on July 6, 2017 for the 50th SAR Tech course, Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan (right) and Major John Coffin (left), Commandant, Canadian Forces School of Search and Rescue, present graduates with their coveted orange berets and promotion to the rank of Master-Corporal. Credit: Cpl Jeffrey Clement

Quotes

“It is a pleasure to congratulate Canada`s newest Search and Rescue Technicians, and to mark the 50th Search and Rescue Technician graduation class of the Canadian Armed Forces. After almost a year of some of the most intensive training in Canada’s toughest terrain, these SAR Techs have earned the right to join their colleagues in carrying out the most demanding of rescue missions.”

—   Harjit S. Sajjan, Defence Minister

“From the demanding selection process right through to the completion of their training, these Search and Rescue Technicians have worked tirelessly and have rightly earned their place in the proud SAR Tech occupation that embodies their motto—“So Others May Live.” 

—   Brigadier-General David Cochrane, Commander, 2 Canadian Air Division

“Being the 50th graduating class, these Search and Rescue Technician students had a rich and proud heritage to live up to, and they have. Those who have passed through this school have gone on to save thousands of lives and I am confident these graduates will proudly follow in their footsteps.”

—   Major John Coffin, Commandant, Canadian Forces School of Search and Rescue

 

Quick Facts

  • Course Fact - The year-long course trains SAR Techs to be primary care paramedics armed with expertise in land and sea survival, parachuting, mountaineering, diving and flying operations.

  • Course Fact - The course graduated 11 students who will now be posted to Search and Rescue (SAR) squadrons across the country.

  • Course Fact - Training took place in numerous locations including: Comox, Victoria and Vancouver, B.C.; Jarvis Lake and Jasper National Park, Alta.; Winnipeg, Man.; Halifax, N.S.; and Resolute Bay, N.W.T.

  • History of SAR Training - The CAF have been training personnel in Search and Rescue techniques since 1944. While this is the 50th graduating course of SAR Techs, courses have not been run every year.

  • History of SAR Training - Originally called “Para Rescue,” the concept was the brain child of Wilfrid Reid (Wop) May who envisioned a team that would be able to parachute into a crash site to administer first aid and organize the recovery of accident victims.

  • History of SAR Training - The first Para Rescue School formed in Edmonton in 1944 and started the first course on February 12, 1945 with 12 candidates. Course duration was originally planned for fifteen weeks, but due to weather and equipment delays, the course lasted 19 weeks.

  • History of SAR Training - In 1964, the Para Rescue Course came under the RCAF Survival Training School in Edmonton.

  • History of SAR Training - In 1996, CFSSAR was created in Comox, graduating its first course in 1998.

  • History of SAR Training - CFSSAR has been graduating courses annually since 2005.

  • Search and Rescue Technicians “That Others May Live” - CAF have approximately 140 SAR Techs. They are highly trained specialists who provide advanced pre-hospital medical care and rescue for aviators, mariners and others in distress in remote or hard-to-reach areas. These men and women are trained to a Primary care Paramedic national standard with additional advanced skills.

  • Search and Rescue Technicians “That Others May Live” - SAR Techs are present on every CAF primary SAR aircraft deployed on a SAR mission and they have saved thousands of lives nationwide.

Associated Links

Contacts

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Toll-Free: 1-866-377-0811
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca

Public Affairs
19 Wing Comox
Phone: 250-339-8201
Email: 19WingPublicAffairs@forces.gc.ca

Jordan Owens
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of National Defence
(613) 996-3100

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