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SAR Careers in Canada - An Overview

So, you're interested in working in the field of search and rescue . . .

. . . as a Paid Employee
. . . as a Professional Volunteer

Paid Employment in Search and Rescue

In Canada, there are not many paid careers exclusively in search and rescue (SAR), nor many that permit direct entry into front-line SAR duty. Since "heavy duty" search and rescue requires specialized training and equipment, most primary SAR services are housed within larger organizations like the Canadian Forces (Air Force), the Canadian Coast Guard, and police and fire departments. As it is difficult to predict when a search and rescue incident will happen, some SAR units may have other duties such as conducting scientific, surveillance and humanitarian missions in addition to their search and rescue roles.

Canadian Forces

The Canadian Forces elite Search and Rescue Technicians (SAR Techs) are highly trained specialists who respond to aviators, mariners, and others in distress as part of the military's SAR system. They are comfortable operating in any environment, and in addition to being qualified in advanced trauma life support, are also skilled at diving, parachuting and mountain climbing and rappelling. To become a SAR Tech in the Canadian Forces, four years of service in another military trade are required.

The Canadian Forces also has skilled pilots, navigators and other air crew that are specially trained in the SAR role, operating helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft across Canada.

Military ground SAR teams are located at several military bases and training areas across Canada and may be requested to assist in community searches as well as incidents that occur as a result of Canadian Forces operations. These members, however, are generally employed full time in other military occupations and have SAR as a secondary duty. The Canadian Rangers also provide support to SAR missions in the northern and remote regions of Canada.

For more information on SAR careers in the Canadian Forces, please consult CF Recruiting 1-800-856-8488.

Canadian Coast Guard

In the Canadian Coast Guard, you must generally have some experience employed as ship's crew, and hold marine emergency qualifications with the Coast Guard, before being assigned to a rescue station. The Coast Guard hires rescue divers, but at present this is a small group, based only at the Sea Island Base in Vancouver, British Columbia.

For full time post-secondary students, Coast Guard also offers a seasonal Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) program through the Federal Student Work Experience Program. The IRB program provides invaluable training and summer employment at marine rescue stations. This is a great starting point for young people considering a career in search and rescue.

Police and Fire Services

Many provincial, regional, and municipal police and fire departments may also have special SAR units (e.g. Toronto Police Marine Unit; Ontario Provincial Police Emergency Response Team; Calgary Fire Department's Heavy Urban Search and Rescue team); but again, most members are drawn from within the existing ranks. Many have specialist skills in search management, high-angle, swift-water and confined space rescue, and marine and air SAR. To find out more about recruitment and career opportunities in these organizations, please contact them directly. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) manages ground and inland water search and rescue across much of the country, as part of its provincial/territorial contract policing mandate.

Canine teams also play an important role in search and rescue, and many police departments have specially trained dogs and handlers who can be called to assist with search and rescue incidents.

National and Provincial Parks

In addition to their other management duties, the Public Safety Specialists (wardens) in Canada's National Parks are responsible for performing search and rescue. In the mountain parks of British Columbia and Alberta, SAR duties are particularly prominent, and include avalanche, cliff, and swift-water rescues. To become a full warden, a university degree in natural resources is usually required. Summer jobs and volunteer positions are also available with Parks Canada, presenting good opportunities to learn more about working in this area.

Some provinces and territories also have Conservation Officers and parks personnel who perform a search and rescue role in addition to their regular duties, such as Alberta's Kananaskis Country Public Safety Program. Depending upon the organization, post-secondary education in fields such as law enforcement and wildlife management is usually required for this type of employment.

Professional Volunteers in Search and Rescue

Air, marine and ground SAR volunteer groups play a critical role in Canada's SAR system. Although they do not receive payment for their time, these professionals work alongside the Air Force, Coast Guard, police, fire departments and emergency measures organizations on SAR missions.

While some volunteer duties require previous training or qualifications (e.g. as a pilot or boat operator), most organizations require only enthusiasm, commitment and a willingness to learn. In addition to "front line" roles, volunteer SAR organizations also rely heavily on the talents of those who specialize in administration, communications, maintenance, equipment repair and fundraising.

Volunteering provides an excellent opportunity to receive hands-on training and learn more about search and rescue, while serving your community. For insurance purposes, many volunteer organizations require their members to be at least 18 years of age, but there are some exceptions.

There are three primary groups of SAR volunteers in Canada:

Marine SAR
Air SAR
Ground and Inland Water SAR

Marine SAR (Oceans and Great Lakes/St. Lawrence River)

Responding to fellow mariners in distress on Canada's ocean coasts and the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence system, volunteers of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (CCGA) operate their own vessels or serve as crew on community-owned rescue boats. In addition to recreational boaters, many CCGA members are commercial operators or fishermen. In addition to SAR duties, many CCGA volunteers are active in providing boating safety education to the public.

For more information on how to join, and the location of the CCGA unit closest to you, contact the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary directly.

Air SAR

The volunteers of the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA) work closely with the Canadian Forces, providing support to federal SAR missions. CASARA members act as crew on private aircraft, and also fly on military SAR aircraft as trained observers or "spotters." They also serve on ground crews who specialize in the detection of emergency radio beacons. Many CASARA units also provide air support to police searches for lost people, and help promote aviation safety in their local communities.

For more information on CASARA, and how to join, contact the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association.

Ground and Inland Waters SAR

Ground SAR teams comprise the largest number of search and rescue volunteers in Canada. Working with provincial, territorial and municipal police forces, they provide front-line search and rescue specialists as well as those skilled in SAR management, communications, and logistics support. Depending upon the type and location of the team, ground SAR volunteers may travel on foot, all-terrain vehicles, boats, mountain bikes, horseback, and snowmachines in the course of their work. Some teams also specialize in technical skills such as diving, and high-angle, cave, and swift-water rescue. Most teams are active in their communities, providing safety information to schools and organizations and assisting local authorities with civil emergencies (e.g. fire evacuations, floods, winter storms).

Volunteer fire and emergency medical services are becoming increasingly involved with SAR activities, too, and working with these community-based groups also offers excellent practical experience.

- For more information on Ground and Inland Water SAR volunteers, contact the Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada, or the provincial/territorial search and rescue association in your area; or

- For dog handlers looking to volunteer in the SAR field, contact your local police force or provincial/territorial SAR association. They may also be able to refer to you a SAR Dog association in your local area.

Overall, being involved with search and rescue -- either as a full-time career, or as an unpaid professional volunteer -- can be a rewarding and valuable experience.

See the links at http://www.nss.gc.ca/site/whoWeAre/101org_e.asp, or consult the on-line Directory of Canadian SAR Organizations to find more detailed information on SAR groups in your local area.

Source: National Search and Rescue Secretariat - August 2004 (CS)

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