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SAR NEWS

Relive SARSCENE 2002

Video clips from SARSCENE 2002 wreath-laying ceremony, opening ceremony, games, presentations, exhibits, demonstrations and banquet are now online. Audio tapes from the presentations can be ordered from contape@cyberus.ca or (613)824-2584. A list of presentations is available online.

Safely Home - Alzheimer Wandering Registry

by Linda LeDuc

Alzheimer Disease is a degenerative brain disorder that destroys vital brain cells. It most often occurs in people over 65, but can affect adults at an earlier age. One in 13 Canadians over the age of 65 has Alzheimer Disease or a related dementia. People with Alzheimer Disease sometimes lose the ability to recognize familiar places, to communicate or to remember their own name or address. They may leave home, become confused and get lost. This can be dangerous for people with the disease and worrisome for caregivers. But there is help.

Safely Home - Alzheimer Wandering Registry is a nationwide program designed to help find a person who is lost and assist in a safe return home. Developed by the Alzheimer Society of Canada in partnership with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the registry on the Canadian Police Information Centre stores vital information. Registration in the program is voluntary. For a one-time fee of $25, the registrant will receive an identification bracelet and identification cards.

For more information on the program, contact your local Alzheimer Society or the Alzheimer Society of Canada at 1-800-616-8816 or visit their Web site.

Information on this program will be presented at SARSCENE 2003.

Award for leadership

Major Grant MacDonald

Major Grant MacDonald, who recently returned to the Canadian Forces after a two-year secondment to the National Search and Rescue Secretariat, was awarded a DM/CDS Renewal award for his leadership in the development of seamless search and rescue across Canada. The award cites his work "as Team Leader of the National Search and Rescue Secretariat's Strategic Transition Initiative Project" and commends him for his ability "to reconcile complex jurisdictional issues and develop the first ever, cohesive approach to program policy and planning for the six departments with Search and Rescue responsibilities. This work has resulted in a better coordinated, more cost-effective Search and Rescue Program, aimed at saving the lives of people in distress."

Search and rescue directory goes live

Organizations listed in the Directory of Canadian Search and Rescue Organizations can now add, update or delete information about their organizations. The directory allows search and rescue organizations to post information about themselves, their area of responsibility as well as contact names and numbers. If you would like to add your organization's information, contact the Secretariat at 1-800-727-9414 to receive a user ID and password. Organizations already listed will have received theirs in the mail.

Safe Canada site covers wide range of emergencies

by Patrick Kennedy

The federal government's public safety portal is a government website developed by Canadians, for Canadians, and offers a wide variety of safety information, including tips on search and rescue and emergency preparedness.

A visit to www.SafeCanada.ca lets you:

• Learn about fire prevention and how to plan an escape route
• Pick up important safety tips about outdoor activities such as camping, safe barbecuing and what to do in case of a bear attack
• Prepare yourself and your family for an emergency
• Learn about the most recent food recalls and allergy alerts
• Find up-to-date information on product and vehicle recalls
• Check for weather warnings in your area, and across the country
• Learn what to do in the event of a flood, earthquake, forest fire, etc.
• Access the latest health and travel warnings
• Protect yourself against frauds, scams and identity theft
• Teach your children about safety through interactive games and activities such as the "What belongs on your boat?" quiz.

The Public Safety Portal, coordinated by the Department of the Solicitor General of Canada, has links to over 25 government organizations responsible for public safety or security. Over the next 12 months, the coordinators will be forging pilot partnerships with provincial governments and non-government organizations.

For more information, contact Karen Savoie, Manager, Government On-Line, Solicitor General Canada at (613) 991-0645.

Tim Jones

Photo: Bruce Moffat

Tim Jones received one of five Certificates of Achievement in 2003 from the National Search and Rescue Secretariat at the Annual General Meeting of the North Shore Rescue team in Vancouver last June. Mr. Jones has been instrumental in training search and rescue (SAR) volunteers in the extremely diverse conditions that BC terrain presents. Among his many duties he also acts as the Helicopter Flight Rescue Systems Coordinator for his team. Left to right: Mayor Ron Wood, District of West Vancouver; Tim Jones; Mayor Barbara Sharp, City of North Vancouver; and Mayor Don Bell, District of North Vancouver. Two of the team's rescue vehicles are in the background.

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