Feds OK SAR study

Ottawa will be taking a look at search and rescue (SAR) response times across the country through a new review.

Last Tuesday, the House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence agreed to undertake a review of Canadian Forces SAR response times, including those for Squadron 103 at 9 Wing Gander.

St. John's East MP Jack Harris, who sits on the committee and introduced the idea of conducting a SAR review, said having the issue on the committee's agenda is a big breakthrough.

"How fast you get in the air determines how fast you get to a location, so response times are critical, and that's what we'll be looking at," said Mr. Harris, who is also the NDP defence critic.

"The Parliamentary committee undertaking this study can make recommendations to Parliament, and they can be debated on in Parliament, so it moves the issue forward and gives us an opportunity to advance the case."

The issue has been at the forefront of public interest in Newfoundland and Labrador following the crash of a Cougar helicopter carrying offshore workers that claimed 17 lives and left a lone survivor.

As Mr. Harris sees it, Canada currently has three levels of response times for SAR - 15-20 minutes for offshore workers; 30 minutes for daytime coverage; and a two-hour response time on weekends, holidays, and evenings.

"The question is, is that justified, and can we do better? We obviously found out that we could do better than what was happening with the offshore."

Maj. Stephen Reid, commanding officer for 103 Squadron, previously told The Beacon that SAR techs based in Gander are able to respond within an hour, on average, to calls beyond the 8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekday schedule.

The Cougar crash led to the formation of an inquiry headed by Robert Wells. Last month, he gave a recommendation calling on the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board to reduce the offshore response time from one hour to 15-20 minutes. The board accepted the recommendation.

"Improvements can be made," said Mr. Harris, "and there may be costs involved, and that's the question that has to be answered. How do we achieve a better standard of response?"

The Cougar crash has led some to call on the defence department to install an SAR helicopter in St. John's.

Gander deputy mayor Zane Tucker said he will be interested to see what comes of the study. He expects the results will reinforce the notion that Gander is the logical location for SAR Cormorant helicopters.

"Time and time again, (studies) consistently show (SAR in Gander) is in the optimal location to provide the best service for the entire province, and not just the east coast. Personally, I can't wait to see the outcome, because I know it's going to back up our claim again."

A part of the process for examining response times, said Mr. Harris, will be to consider how other countries implement their own response times for SAR activities.

"How fast you get in the air determines how fast you get to a location, so response times are critical, and that's what we'll be looking at."

Mr. Harris said the response time study will be one of several undertaken by the defence committee over the next few months.Analysts will gather data from secondary sources, he said, and the committee will call witnesses to speak on the issue. Mr. Harris said those will include representatives from the Department of National Defence, and hopefully the greater public."I'd like to hear from people if they have any concerns they would want to make sure the committee is aware of," he said.

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