News Releases

The Office of the Fire Commissioner advises that over 100 members of Manitoba’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team will hold their annual team meeting in Brandon today and tomorrow.  One of the topics for discussion will be the planned winter exercise to be held next month.   

 

This major winter exercise, developed by the Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC), Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) and the RCMP is designed to challenge individuals and agencies while demonstrating the importance of planning and co-ordination in a remote area during harsh weather conditions.

 

Agencies scheduled to participate in the exercise include the OFC, EMO, RCMP, Winnipeg Police Service, Manitoba USAR team, Search and Rescue Manitoba, Civil Air Search and Rescue Association and the Department of National Defence.

 

The Manitoba USAR team will set up a fully operational, self-sufficient camp that includes a technologically advanced command centre, seasonal tents, water and galley supplies, an environmentally friendly power system, computer-aided search tools, satellite communications systems and fully functional and equipped search and rescue teams capable of operating in any type of situation and environment.

 

The OFC has the responsibility for the operation, maintenance and deployment of the 100-plus member USAR team in Manitoba, made up of emergency response professionals from municipal and provincial and federal services.  The OFC also trains and co-ordinates provincial ground search and rescue team members which provide support to the police in lost-person search incidents.

 

There are five USAR teams across Canada:  Vancouver, Calgary, Manitoba, Toronto and Halifax, funded in co-operation with the federal government.  The USAR teams were formed after the terrorist attacks in the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001.

 

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