Hello-bird Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTV...t%20Top%20Model Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyclic monkey Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 The RCMP said at the time that it was an "error" that SAR wasn't launched earlier...... here's that report.... http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/prin...bhub=PrintStory L3, where is the BC Govt going to get this money from ??? Aren't they also supposed to be finding more money for Ballet BC, Little League Baseball, the BC Dominoes Team, and countless other groups that all feel they want their own share of tax dollars. Maybe the Government should cut back funding from fighting forest fires (OOOPS, done that), maybe the Olympics (OOPS, forbidden), or maybe from the Health, Education or Highways Ministries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cap Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 It's the early 80's and I was the person responsible for a civilian SAR team in one quarter of BC. We didn't do more than THINK about being dispatched without orders to do so from the RCMP and even they got their local orders from RCMP Sub-Division HQ and they in turn from HQ in Victoria. The local NCO i/c Detaachment didn't have approval to spend more that $500 all at once without approval from above. We were told then and I don't know why it would not still be in effect, that the 'buck stopped and started' with the RCMP because that was from whom our orders originated. I also know this. For eons, anyone from anywhere who proposed making some type of trek across the Canadian Arctic did so at their pleasure as long as the Canadian government was advised of same. If these people became in distress in some way, it was up to the Canadian government, CAF Hercules and the Canadian taxpayer to foot the cost for that search regardless of any mistakes or stupidities that had taken place on the venturers' part(s). You may still do the same today with some notable exceptions. New rules put in place some years ago have changed things. Go where you wish, whenever you wish, with as many as you wish, BUT FIRST you will pay to the Government of Canada a Surety Bond of whatever amount the Government deems necessary. That amount will be estimated using approximations of what the cost might be to search for your heinie(s). That amount now starts at $500,000 and goes upwards very quickly. This was done because the costs to the taxpayer for others' stupidities and ill-preparation had exceeded all sanity. Want to be or act stupid or ill-prepared, then Ottawa will ensure that it's YOUR monies that finance the search for you and not the Canadian taxpayer who is left holding the bill while you venture back to where you came from and not having had to pay for anything. Do all the correct things to ensure your safety and we'll provide that courtesy search service JUST THIS ONE TIME. If it happens the 2nd time, then there goes your Surety Bond into our coffers and you don't get permission ever again for a similar 'adventure'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Kupecz Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 I believe that this sort of situation would be considered an unnecessary search and rescue response, as there are frequent and graphic warnings about the dangers and consequences of going back country. Just like the ice fishermen who got caught out on Lake Simcoe after repeated warnings that thin ice + wind = break up conditions. RCC Trenton had to get several hundred of these guys off a series of rapidly shrinking ice floes and there was a lot of talk about charging the lot of them with an UNSAR. No idea what came of it, but I was completely shocked by some of the fisherman being quoted as saying they would have liked to stay out there as it was a good day for fishing. When do you just let Darwin take over? The number of times we sent out crews and resources just to find that someone had landed hard, forgot to check in, or was just being stupid made for a very busy season. My absolute favourite one of those was the pilot that flew from New York into Quebec - under radar, no transponder. His ELT broadcast the whole trip, and I was able to plot out his 2 most probable landing sites. He got a **** of a shock when the police were waiting for him with big smiles. From what I remember, most SAR related activities come under federal purview. I know in Trenton in the early 90's, we had access to all levels of civilian and governmental resources, and all costs accrued were federal. I may be wrong for the smaller stuff, but if it is RCC or RCMP that does the dispatching, then the province shouldn't have to cover any new costs to beef things up or protect the volunteer crews legally. "Shouldn't" being the operative word here. All in all, a sad, but predictable ending. There are warnings about going out of bounds for a reason. Experienced outdoorsmen not only understand that, they know enough NOT to just start walking around when they are lost and/or hurt. How far were they from their S.O.S when he was finally spotted waving? Emergency signals, ELTs and PLBs are nice, but in rough terrain, the signal doesn't always make it out. Stick to your route / itinerary and you will have a much better chance. Oh. Right. No route, no itinerary. Also, and finally, no-one is going to start looking out of bounds if someone is missing. Why would they? The RCMP and RCC have to make decisions for searches on known data. If no-one is supposed to be in the area people may be asked to have a quick look if they are around, but there will be no concentrated efforts. Little wonder that they were not found for that long. Sorry for the long post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skids Up Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 There are warnings about going out of bounds for a reason. How many times can you say Whistler, Blackcomb, Grouse Mtn.etc... Some never learn and never will. Let them buy insurance if they want to be rescued. Why do we think that "someone" has to search, rescue, find, locate, risk themselves or whatever. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF, PEOPLE!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hazy Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 "Spot Me" -buy one and carry it. H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hello-bird Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Q: Is anyone ever billed for SAR services? Like we are billed (usually $50.00) for Ambulatory services? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deuce bigalow Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Q: Is anyone ever billed for SAR services? Like we are billed (usually $50.00) for Ambulatory services? Jeez. I hope nobody starts billing me for being stupid. I haven't got that much money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest plumber Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 How many times can you say Whistler, Blackcomb, Grouse Mtn.etc... Some never learn and never will. Let them buy insurance if they want to be rescued. Why do we think that "someone" has to search, rescue, find, locate, risk themselves or whatever. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF, PEOPLE!! Amen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest plumber Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Q: Is anyone ever billed for SAR services? Like we are billed (usually $50.00) for Ambulatory services? Yes Golden SAR is disputing a bill as we speak! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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