Deadline: 19-Nov-20
The Government of Canada’s Public Safety Canada Department has announced a Call for Proposals for Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund.
The intent of the Search and Rescue New Initiatives Funds (SAR NIF) is to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, economy, and innovation of search and rescue activities as it relates to the response and prevention objectives of the National Search and Rescue Program (NSP).
The goal of the NSP is a Canada where the critical importance of search and rescue is reflected in a multi-jurisdictional approach to promoting individual, collective and organizational behaviors that minimize the risk of injury or loss of life while maintaining timely and effective response services.
Objectives
Achievement of this goal rests on two primary objectives:
- Prevention: Educate individuals and organizations on the assessment of risks and the importance of acquiring and using the knowledge, skills and equipment needed to minimize injury and/or loss of life;
- Response: Ensure an effective and capable SAR response in all areas of Canada.
Priority Areas
Priority 1
Strengthen the National Coordination of Search and Rescue
In Canada, search and rescue (SAR) is a shared responsibility amongst a wide-ranging list of partners throughout several jurisdictions across Canada. Innovative measures that promote or advance coordination and response capabilities across multiple jurisdictions are crucial to ensuring integrated coordination as well as long-term sustainment of a world-class SAR system.
The 2021-2022 SAR NIF call for proposals will consider projects that meet one or more of the following:
Initiatives that help integrate SAR with emergency management;
Initiatives that build disaster response capabilities within the volunteer SAR community;
The development and implementation of national level training curriculum;
Initiatives that support or promote information, data, and or knowledge sharing within or between SAR jurisdictions, including research and studies;
The development and implementation of stakeholder agreements that facilitate interjurisdictional SAR response;
Initiatives that seek to enhance national interoperability between SAR organizations (e.g. Incident Command System, multijurisdictional exercise, etc.).
Priority 2
Emphasize and Effectively Coordinate SAR Prevention Efforts
In order to save lives, reduce pain and suffering, and minimize the economic and social burden associated with responding to SAR incidents, a renewed focus on prevention is necessary. The sought-after outcomes should aim to reduce the frequency, and mitigate the duration and severity of SAR incidents by altering behaviour, promoting timely alerting, and increasing the potential of survivability.
The 2021-2022 SAR NIF call for proposals will consider projects that meet one or more of the following:
Research initiatives that seek to enhance SAR prevention programs or public education and outreach campaigns;
Development, production, distribution and/or delivery of national or regional SAR incident prevention messaging.
Priority 3
SAR in Indigenous Communities
An inclusive national governance construct for the SAR community is critical to the long-term sustainability of Canada’s SAR system. Recent efforts by Public Safety Canada to strengthen the national governance construct for Canada’s SAR community involve the establishment of the whole-of-community National Search and Rescue Advisory Council, inclusive of several Indigenous organizations.
In order to build on recent advancements, it’s important to maintain a focus on the unique challenge of SAR in remote locations, as well as to ensure that groups responsible for SAR activities in Indigenous communities across the country continue to have a voice.
The 2021-2022 SAR NIF call for proposal will consider projects that meet one or more of the following:
The development and implementation of SAR initiatives that focus on communication, engagement and outreach with Indigenous communities.
Development and implementation of initiatives to establish or bolster sustainable SAR capacity and capability.
Funding Information
- The annual SAR NIF budget is $7.6M. With multi-year projects ongoing the availability of funds for new projects will vary from year to year.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligible recipients of the Program include provincial and territorial governments, profit and not-for-profit Canadian organizations and volunteer associations, and academia.
Those applying for SAR NIF funding must meet the following requirements in order for their application to be considered for funding:
- Be an eligible recipient;
- Have a minimum of 5% of in-kind or cash contributions towards overall project cost from sources other than PS which are backed up by signed letters of commitment (cost-sharing);
- Complete SAR NIF Application for Funding, including the Project Budget, and Project Work Plan.
Applicants must submit their application and all related documentation by the deadline specified in the current year SAR NIF Call for Proposals.
For more information, visit https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/mrgnc-mngmnt/rspndng-mrgnc-vnts/nss/nif-prpsls-en.aspx