Home Newsroom 2006 News releases 2006-03-11: Urban Search and Rescue Exercise first of its kind in Canada

Urban Search and Rescue Exercise first of its kind in Canada

Calgary, March 11, 2006 -- The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, participated in an event today to launch EXERCISE MARCH FORWARD, Canada’s first national Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) deployment exercise. Representatives from all three levels of government attended the event that featured all five Canada Task Force USAR Teams from Vancouver, Calgary, Manitoba, Toronto and Halifax.

The inaugural event took place at Calgary’s Multi-Agency Training Centre, a USAR mobilization and training facility. The extensive training grounds outside allowed the USAR teams to test how well they work together in a simulated disaster site involving collapsed structures and confined spaces.

"Canada must be prepared and equipped to conduct search and rescue operations effectively at a moment’s notice -- especially when natural disasters or terrorist events cause life-threatening situations," said Minister Day. "From witnessing those teams working together today, I’m encouraged to see that if an emergency happens in Canada, there will be quick, effective, and responsive action taken in order to help Canadians."

"In today’s global climate, we need to be prepared for a variety of crisis situations," said Rob Renner, Alberta’s Minister of Municipal Affairs. "Training forms the foundation of response efforts no matter what the scenario, and I’m pleased to see a variety of provincial teams taking part in this exercise at Calgary’s state-of-the-art facility."

"I believe the National Urban Search and Rescue Deployment Exercise will prove very beneficial for all cities participating in the program," said Andre Chabot, Deputy Mayor of Calgary . “We, the City of Calgary are proud to host the exercise and to aid in the further development of search and rescue operations."

"The City of Calgary and Calgary Fire Department's Canada Task Force 2 are pleased to partner with the federal government in staging this impressive event at our cutting-edge training facilities," said Calgary Fire Chief Bruce Burrell.

USAR is an advanced first responder capacity used to carry out complex and demanding rescue operations within collapsed structures, including victim extrication tasks for all-hazards.

Over 40 members of the USAR team from Vancouver traveled to Louisiana last year to assist and rescue over 100 people when Hurricane Katrina struck coastal communities.

Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada contributed $672,000 towards the planning and coordination of this exercise. The National Exercise Program develops and delivers all-hazard exercises that hone Canada’s National Emergency Response System. Governments, first responders and military officials work together in these exercises, simulating emergency scenarios such as natural disasters, health threats and terrorist attacks. The exercises are often conducted with multiple departments, including provincial, territorial and municipal governments, to ensure efficient, effective and coordinated responses.

Since 2001, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada, through the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program, has committed over $8.3 million towards USAR related initiatives across Canada. This includes $1 million towards construction of the Multi-Agency Training Centre in Calgary, an additional $700,000 for interior equipment and training aids, and over $1 million to the City of Calgary for specialized USAR equipment.

See also:

• National Emergency Response System
• Joint Emergency Preparedness Program
• Urban Search and Rescue Program

For further information:

Mélisa Leclerc
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Public Safety
613-991-2863

Media Relations
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada
613-991-0657