Hi,
This is our regular mailing intended to improve communication within the Search and Rescue community in Alberta. It's going out to over 160 e-mail addresses that are listed as the primary contact of SAR Alberta member groups or which were requested to be added to the mailing list. If you want to be added or removed from the list, please send mail to sara-happenings-ctl@castrov.cuug.ab.ca.
The MLA Policing Review Committee report was released July 10th, and includes recommendations about a wide range of issues, including police funding, police training, and police accountability. The Committee heard from more than 100 organizations, including SAR Alberta. Although none of the 30-plus recommendations speak directly to our SAR community's current challenges, the report did acknowledge that one of the main themes from the submissions was the need for "search and rescue to be consolidated under one provincial ministry with police involvement clearly identified and the use of trained SAR resources as certified by SAR Alberta."
The provincial government is now soliciting report feedback; responses from the public and stakeholders will be accepted until October 15th. To view a summary of the report, to download the 66 page report or to provide online feedback, access the following provincial government website: `http://www.gov.ab.ca/home/news/dsp_feature.cfm?lkFid=187'
Non-profit community groups can now apply for grants under the Community Initiatives Program, a new $30 million program funded by the Alberta Lottery Fund. Highlights of the Community Initiatives Program include a maximum grant limit of $75,000 per project per year, with a matching requirement for funding over $10,000. Funds up to $10,000 may be approved on a non-matching basis for groups that can demonstrate significant difficulties in raising matching funds.
Eligibility requirements for the program will be the same as for the Community Lottery Board program, and applicants will not be eligible to receive funding from any other lottery-funded program during the year for the same project. Program funding will be set aside to fund special needs projects such as disaster and regional and provincial projects. Application forms and program guidelines are available on Alberta Gaming's Web site at `http://www.gaming.gov.ab.ca'
Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue is hosting SAREX 2002. This will be the third unofficial BC Provincial SAR Conference they have hosted involving SAR teams and emergency response personnel from across BC and the Pacific Northwest. In 1994 they welcomed over 180 participants and in 1998 more than 230 people were registered. This year they are anticipating an even greater attendance.
This event will be held September 6, 7, & 8, 2002 in Golden Ears Provincial Park, approximately 1 hour East of Vancouver. Registration information can be found on their website `http://www.pbsco.com/rmsar
Hinton SAR is hosting a UTS Tracking Course on Aug 31st - Sept 2nd. Those wishing information about
Universal Tracking Services may visit their website at `http://utstrackingservices.com'. For
registration or information about the Hinton course, contact P. Grimley 780-865-5047
or
- No Call For Help Goes Unanswered -
SARSCENE is an annual national workshop organized by the National Search and Rescue Secretariat (NSS)
with the help of provincial or territorial hosts. The Workshop travels to different regions of Canada
each year, working with various SAR organizations in each region. This year, the NSS and the
Nova Scotia Ground Search and Rescue Association (NSGSARA) are working together with the Nova Scotia
Emergency Measures Organization to help bring you SARSCENE 2002. Being held on September 11-14, the
location this year is back at Halifax. For more information and to register,
visit: `http://www.nss.gc.ca/sarscene/workshop/ss2002/Webcoverpage_e.htm'
*NOTE* Date Change.
Committee Chair Anita Schmidt has called for a meeting of all SAR Teams in the province, that either
currently deliver preventive education, or would like to. This meeting is to take place Saturday,
August 24 at 12:00. Edmonton Police Service West Division Station, 16505 - 100 Avenue. Please make
sure notice of this meeting is forwarded to the person(s) responsible for preventive education in your
SAR Team so they can attend. For more information about the work of the committee, or regarding the
scheduled meeting, contact Anita Schmidt
- The Wide World of Communication -
The South Eastern Alberta Search and Rescue (SEASAR) Team, SAR Alberta and The Eagles
Nest Ranch have joined forces to host the 2003 SAR Alberta Conference with a TWIST! With
the proximity to the USA and to the Saskatchewan Border we are going INTERNATIONAL in
scope.
Located at the South West Corner of the Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, this unique and well
hidden outdoor oasis offers the SAR Alberta Conference attendees a total immersion into the
SAR Scene with NO outside distractions. Cell phones don't work here! Most Pagers don't work
here! Unless someone knows where you are, they won't find you!
Conference dates are March 7, 8, & 9th 2003. Information and registration form is already up on
the SEASAR website, with more information being posted each month as the event draws nearer.
SEASAR website address:
http://www.memlane.com/nonprofit/seasar
Do you have an opinion, a question, or are looking for some information relating SAR? Maybe you
would like to make a comment on SAR Alberta or some other aspect of SAR in our province.
SAR Alberta's website provide the opportunity for you to do all of this through its Message Board.
The Message Board is accessed from SAR Alberta's website homepage at `http://www.saralberta.org'.
Press the "Go to Message Board" link on the right-hand side and let's hear what's on your mind!
The publication dates for future mailings of SARA Happenings has been moved to the middle of
each month. Please note that the new deadline for material will be the 10th of each month.
Does your group have an event posting for the SARA Happenings mailing? If so, please send
information 1-1/2 months prior to the dates you wish advertised. It will then give ample time for
those reading it to respond. Please send all material to the Communications Coordinator, Brad
Marshall at bmarsh@telusplanet.net.
This document was generated on 16 July 2002 using
John's cut and paste.
SARSCENE 2002
PREVENTIVE EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEETING
7th ANNUAL PROVINCIAL SAR CONFERENCE
SAR ALBERTA WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU!
SARA HAPPENINGS SUBMISSIONS