NR - 12.042 - March 24, 2012
Earlier today, the Commander of Canada Command, Lieutenant-General Walter Semianiw, in his capacity as senior military Commander for Search and Rescue, issued the following statement:
“I want to provide further context and perspective regarding the coordinated search and rescue efforts to locate Burton Winters, who went missing in a severe winter storm near Makkovik on the north coast of Labrador, this past February.
Burton Winters’ death was a tragedy. We add our heartfelt condolences to those that have already been expressed. Burton Winters’ loss raised public awareness regarding the enumerable challenges that people who are involved with search and rescue in Canada frequently face when dealing with the harsh and unforgiving conditions of the North.
The following information was made available to the public through the media during two news conferences held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on February 4th and in St. John’s, Newfoundland, on February 8th, 2012.
In Canada, Search and Rescue is a shared responsibility among federal, provincial/territorial and volunteer organizations, and there is an organizational distinction between the responsibility for ground Search and Rescue (SAR), and aeronautical and maritime SAR. The Canadian Forces (CF) have the primary responsibility for the provision of aeronautical SAR services (search for downed aircraft) whereas the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) is responsible for maritime SAR services. The CF are also responsible for the effective operation of this coordinated aeronautical and maritime SAR system. Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) in Canada is conducted under the legal authority of the individual provinces and territories. This authority is delegated for operational response to the police service of jurisdiction.
The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) Halifax first received a call from Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador (FES NL) on 30 January 2012 about an ongoing ground search for a 14-year-old male who was reported missing on a snowmobile near Makkovik, Labrador. The ground search was being led by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), who has responsibility for GSAR in this area. The weather at Makkovik initially prevented FES NL contracted helicopters from participating in a search, prompting them to contact the JRCC Halifax in order to identify if other assets were available.
The coordinator on duty at the JRCC Halifax followed established procedures. When the initial call came in for a CF aircraft to support the GSAR efforts, the JRCC Halifax made an assessment on the provision of CF support based on such considerations as weather, aircraft positioning, aircraft serviceability and the requirement to maintain the CF’s mandated Aeronautical and Maritime SAR response in the region.
Based on all of these factors, the CF could not provide aeronautical support to the search at that juncture. As a result, FES NL then engaged contracted helicopters for the search, in accordance with normal GSAR protocols, as soon as the weather improved. On 31 January 2012, the JRCC Halifax received another request from FES NL for CF air support to do a search of the region in support of GSAR, and a CH-146 Griffon helicopter was tasked to support the ground search accordingly.
Historically, the Canadian federal aeronautical and maritime SAR system has responded to more than 9,000 cases annually, tasking CF aircraft or ships in about 1,100 of these cases. These actions over the years have saved many lives. Some CF members have also lost their own lives in search and rescue attempts.
Burton Winters’ family deserves our sympathy and support. One must appreciate the complexities in the decision making process of all SAR cases, with each having their own distinct challenges. We in the CF are saddened by the loss of Burton Winters. We grieve every time a search and rescue attempt is unsuccessful. Canadians can be confident in the CF SAR community’s dedication to serve them, and in the professionalism they demonstrate on a daily basis.”
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Notes to editor / news director: For more information on the Search and Rescue Protocol Review, please visit the following link: http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/news-nouvelles-eng.asp?id=4106
