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PEOPLE AND AWARDS

Fare thee well, Peter

It is with great sadness that the National Search and Rescue Secretariat (NSS) bids farewell to LCol (Ret’d) Peter Howe, who passed away on November 7, 2008, after a courageous battle with cancer.

LCol (Ret’d) Peter Howe 1950-2008.

Born in England, Peter Howe and his family emigrated to Canada when he was a young man. Earning a mechanical engineering degree from the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario, Peter went on to a distinguished 33-year career with the Canadian Forces. Qualified as an air navigator, Peter held many operational and leadership positions in both air transport and search and rescue, including officer-in-charge of the Canadian Mission Control Centre in Trenton, Ontario, staff positions at National Defence Headquarters, and commander of overseas humanitarian airlift missions.

After leaving the military, Peter first worked with Transport Canada and then joined the NSS in 2002 as the Director of Federal Coordination. During his time with the Secretariat, Peter oversaw the Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund, and worked extensively with the international COSPASSARSAT programme, becoming a dear and respected colleague to many at home and abroad. At the annual SARSCENE conferences, Peter’s easy laugh and gracious demeanour as master of ceremonies put the finishing touch on several opening ceremonies and awards banquets.

Though Peter will be profoundly missed, his contributions to search and rescue will prevail. The NSS extends its sincere condolences to Peter’s wife Dr. Jane Bruce, his children Kate, Erica, and Kevin, and all those who were fortunate to count themselves among Peter’s friends, family, and colleagues.

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Best Presentation Award

Richard Paiement, a Project Leader with Advanced Systems and Technologies, at Communications Research Centre Canada, has received a Best Presentation Award from the Institute of Navigation for his paper entitled “Dilution of Precision Factor in Medium Earth Orbit Search and Rescue Systems.” Mr. Paiement, who was also a presenter at SARSCENE 2008, reported on the results of a project cofunded by the Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund.

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Silvie Montier: an example of devotion and compassion

By Kim Fauteux

Recipient of the National Search and Rescue Secretariat (NSS) 2008 Outstanding Search and Rescue Achievement Award, Silvie Montier was recognized for the time and energy that she devotes to working with search and rescue (SAR) dogs.

Silvie and her dog are conducting an area search. Photo Credit: Silvie Montier

Silvie, whose father was a medical officer in the French army, has always had a dog in the house. This led to her working with SAR dogs, and in 2000, the Canadian Search and Disaster Dogs Association (CASDDA) came to life. “We respond to anyone who calls us: families, communities, the police or firefighters. We carry on searches in the countryside, the mountains and in the woods because in Canada, it's easy to get lost,” said Silvie.

Work with the CASDDA

In addition to searches in Canada, Silvie has participated in many search missions in a number of countries where disasters have struck, like Algeria, Mexico and Peru. “All missions affect us. There are always terrible things happening, but we make friends everywhere. We meet sensational people all over,” explained Silvie, who always insists on working with local people during such missions.

The CASDDA is the only organization in North America that is a member of the International Rescue Dog Organisation (IRO), an umbrella institution for all national associations of rescue dogs. The purpose of these associations is to save people, protect them against injury and preserve the welfare of humans with the help of specially trained dogs. The IRO promotes the exchange of information and training, as well as a single standard, through a number of annual training sessions all over the world.

Outstanding Search and Rescue Achievement Award

When Silvie received the letter telling her that she had been chosen for the Outstanding Search and Rescue Achievement Award, she didn't believe that it really came from the NSS. “I thought it was a joke. I believed that it wasn't possible because we keep a rather low profile. When I realized that it was true, I was very happy. It's encouraging when people appreciate what you do, and it also made my father very happy,” said the training coordinator.

Silvie added that she is delighted that such an award exists in Canada, since it is not only a great honour for the recipients but also recognition for the dogs, as well as for all Canadians who are involved in SAR. Silvie really enjoyed her experience at the 2008 SARSCENE conference, during which she received her award. In her view, the theme of the conference – Strengthening Partnerships – was excellent. She also mentioned that she would like to see such conferences organized for those involved with dog teams in Canada, to help and get to know one another better.

Dante

Silvie's faithful working partner is her dog Dante, a three-year-old Belgian Malinois. “Dante is more motivated than the last dog I worked with. We communicate very well together. I get along with all dogs, but my relationship with Dante is more intense. We understand each other without words,” Silvie explained. She describes Dante as a dog that is not always easy to handle because he has a lot of energy and can be impatient, but she adds that that makes him an excellent SAR dog because he knows what he wants and will do anything possible to get it.

Work is often carried out in areas touched by disasters. Photo Credit: Silvie Montier

When asked what kind of advice she could give someone who would like to work with SAR dogs, Silvie explains that not all dogs are cut out for that kind of work. The animal must have plenty of energy, yet be disciplined because of the intensity of searches that are sometimes carried out in areas where there is a considerable amount of noise. SAR dogs must also be obedient and agile. She advises people who own a dog and who would like to get involved in SAR to contact a canine SAR group and have the animal assessed, because only someone knowledgeable can really evaluate the dog.

Training

In mid-November, Silvie participated in a training exercise in Northern Bohemia. The trainer for that exercise was an international judge. “I participate in such exercises three or four times a year. I also give training workshops and I take courses, not only for the dogs, but for me too", said Silvie.

Silvie strongly believes that to be able to work at the international level with people and dogs from other countries, you have to be qualified at the same level as the others in canine search. As a training co-ordinator, she takes IRO examinations to that end. “Canada is not yet recognized worldwide in the field of canine search and rescue. On the other hand, it is encouraging because there is always the opportunity for growth. No one is totally excellent or totally bad in all areas of training. If we all work together and help one another, we can reach a very high level,” concluded Silvie.

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