Search and Rescue: A partnered response
In Canada, search and rescue (SAR) is a shared responsibility. Many partners are involved due to the country’s immense size, range of terrain and weather. The list of partners includes government, military, volunteer and industry groups. They all work together to provide SAR services across the nation. This network of partners is known as the National Search and Rescue Program (NSP), which is led by Public Safety Canada.
Federal government
Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have primary responsibility for:
- leading the planning, coordination and command of the national response for air and maritime SAR
- providing aeronautical SAR services
- managing Canada’s SAR mission control centre that interacts with the international SAR satellite network and distributes important information to SAR authorities across Canada
When requested by the provincial, territorial or municipal authorities, the CAF may also help with ground SAR efforts, medical evacuations and other incidents where people are in distress.
When requested, the Canadian Rangers (a part of CAF Reserves) help with ground SAR in sparsely settled regions of Canada, especially in the North. Canadian Rangers live and work in remote, isolated, and coastal regions of Canada.
Within the CAF, the primary responsibilities for SAR are divided between Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC) (SAR planning and preparation, and command and control of all SAR operations) and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) (ensures the SAR infrastructure is ready for SAR operations).
Canadian Coast Guard
The Coast Guard is responsible for maritime SAR services on federally controlled waterways. Coast Guard Maritime Search and Rescue Coordinators work alongside the RCAF at each of the three Joint Rescue Coordination Centres (JRCCs) located across Canada. The Coast Guard also operates two Maritime Rescue Sub-Centres to further assist with local rescue coordination efforts.
Parks Canada
Parks Canada leads ground SAR in federal parks and preserves. They will ask for assistance from local, provincial/territorial or federal partners when required.
Provincial and territorial governments
Provincial and territorial governments are responsible for searches for missing persons, including those who are lost or overdue on land or inland waters - commonly known as Ground Search and Rescue. They delegate the authority for responding to ground SAR incidents to local police services (in specific areas these services are provided by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police).
Volunteers
Aeronautical
The Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA) assists the RCAF for aeronautical SAR.
Maritime
The Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (CCGA) assists the Canadian Coast Guard to respond to incidents on federal waterways involving a vessel or person(s) from a vessel.
Ground
The Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC) provides assistance to local police forces of jurisdiction for ground-based SAR incidents involving persons lost, missing, or in distress on land and most inland waters.