N.L. search and rescue inquiry report recommends more money, training for volunteer groups
CBC
The inquiry into ground search and rescue in Newfoundland and Labrador is now complete, with the commissioner releasing his recommendations to the public Wednesday.
James Igloliorte travelled across the province in September for inquiry hearings, starting in Makkovik, the hometown of 14-year-old Burton Winters.
Burton died in 2012 after his snowmobile became stranded on sea ice. It took rescuers three days to find his body, and his family called for years for an inquiry into the search mission tasked with locating him.
That inquiry focused in part on Burton's case.
The 159-page final report also looked broadly at the state of ground search and rescue operations in the province, noting that missions rely heavily on what it described as underfunded volunteer groups.
Igloliorte offered 17 recommendations to the provincial government to improve search and rescue services.
They include:
The report also recommended the provincial government look at implementing a rule compelling snowmobilers and other "outdoor adventurers" to wear a locator device.
It also called for a review of 911 services "with the goal [of] streamlining the existing process so as to ensure that distress calls are tasked in an optimal manner," and stressed the importance of air support for ground missions.
Igloliorte also recommended the province seek an agreement with the federal government for use of Canadian Armed Forces helicopters when required.
"At the present time, the government of Newfoundland and Labrador have no rotary-wing [helicopter] resources, either owned or contracted, capable of operating during darkness or in certain weather conditions," he wrote.
"Helicopter support, at all times of day and night, is often crucial to successful ground search and rescue search outcomes."
He called on the province to ensure "helicopter resources are made available to support ground search and rescue operations in equal priority to their support for aeronautical and marine search and rescue operations."
Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador
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