About
About the Search and Rescue Society of British Columbia
Overhead Management Team
For an external request, the Overhead Management team provides analysis and recommendations only. A second opinion, if you will. For an internal response (SARBC is lead agency), the Overhead Management Team is responsible for all aspects of managing the Incident. Everything from interviews to incident command to base camp operations and logistics is covered by the team. The Overhead Management Team does NOT assume the role of Management during an external response request. Seldom does the Overhead Management Team even arrive on scene. We are set up to respond from our Victoria Base using modern communications equipment to direct the data to be analyzed from the field via a BC wide communications system.
Analysis Unit
A specialized team gathers all possible information about a missing subject/s and processes this information using deductive reasoning. The processed information is run through various computer programs and the results are then sent directly to the field search managers. A minimum of five Analysis members are required per operational period not including the trained interviewers and computer operators. All missing person analysis incidents follow an established pre-plan and operational procedures and policies. The Analysis team generally works out of the Victoria office due to the vast resources required but is field ready with modular equipment if required. The Analysis Division uses traditional and non-traditional search analysis procedures to combine all of the available information into workable search solutions. The Division exists to give search managers a second opinion.
Special Services Unit
The Special Services Unit is the physical response arm of the Society. The Mission Statement of the Unit is to “provide resources not normally available on a wilderness missing person Incident. In addition to traditional search training, the Team is trained in advanced human detection techniques, confinement systems, underwater search and recovery systems and Project Lifesaver.
Programs
Project Lifesaver
With over 3000 rescues and an average elapsed time to locate the missing person under 30 minutes, the statistics speak for themselves. For those with Alzheimers, Dementia, Autism, Downs and other cognitive disorders.
Candle in the Window
Better known as a “court of last appeal” or “search of last appeal”. A systematic approach to assist in determining an IPP. Designed for Incidents where a search utilizing traditional methods has not provided resolve.
Lost in the Woods
This Child Survival program is presented to students, cubs, guides, parents and interest groups across North America. It is not a “Hug a Tree” program. It goes into more detail and adds more Rules for Survival. The presentation is about one hour and thirty minutes. The maximum group size is about one hundred and twenty (or whatever the instructor can handle). The film, “Lost in the Woods II” (re-produced by SARBC in 2005), is shown as part of the presentation. Experiments taken from the book, “Lost in the Woods” by Colleen Politano, are done during each session.
Services
Land SAR
- Active Confinement Systems
- Unsearched Segment Active Monitoring
- Airborne Thermal Imaging
- Land based Thermal Scanning
- Enhanced Night Sign Detection
- Field Forensic Techniques
- Subsurface Imaging: Ground Penetrating RADAR (GPR)
- Void Detection
- Human Remains Detection
- Subsurface Imaging: Ground Penetrating RADAR (GPR)
Pre and Post Search Suspension
- Differential Sign Analysis
- Shifting Probability Analysis
- Subject and Terrain Analysis
- Customized Behavioural Profile Examination
- Layered POD Analysis
- Differential Sign Analysis
- Subject Situational Analysis
- POA Justification
- Red Team Tactical Analysis
- Analysis to Support Suspension
- Probability Audit
Underwater Search
- Done in conjunction with traditional surface and shore SAR techniques.
- Analysis / Research
- Wide Area Scanning
- Potential Target Analysis
- Narrow Area Scanning (high resolution)
- Target Confirmation
- Target recovery
Available: - Towed Side Scan SONAR
- Large Area Multiple Fish Towed Metal Detection
- Dropped Scanning SONAR
- Towed / Dropped High Resolution Video
- Submersible Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) with Manipulator and Cutter
- Ground Penetrating RADAR (frozen surface)
Confined Space
Systems and techniques generally utilized in conjunction with local area SAR and first responders in the first four rescue stages. Search of areas and locations not intended for habitation. Tools utilized by the SSU: SCBA Systems, Toxic and Explosive gas detection, Ventalation equipment, Ultra-Wideband RADAR (life detection)
Structural Collapse
Systems and techniques generally utilized in conjunction with local area SAR and first responders in the first four rescue stages. Phases; size up, hazard mitigation, planning, primary (wide area) search, narrow area search, subsurface search, subject location. Structural Stabilization to enable searching Trapped person location Systems utilized by the SSU: Acoustic detectors, Void detector, Thermal scanning, Thermal imaging, Ultra-Wideband RADAR (life detection), Ground Penetrating RADAR (GPR), Video (snake, probe, drop), Geophone active monitoring, Drop microphones (2 way)
Contact
Contact SARBC
SSU Operations Resource Assistance
BC Wide 24 hour: 1-800-663-6106
Greater Victoria 24 hour: 250-383-1011
Greater Victoria Project Lifesaver Response
Greater Victoria 24 hour: 250-383-1011
SARBC Society
Society and General Information: 250-384-6696
Office and Mailing Address
23 Burnside Rd West
Victoria, BC
V9A 6Z7 Canada
General Inbox: sarbc@sarbc.org
Or use our contact form.