The Search and Rescue Knowledge Management System (SAR KMS)

Help Strengthen Search and Rescue in Canada
Share Your Knowledge

The Search and Rescue Knowledge Management System (SAR KMS) is an innovative and secure web portal for improving accessibility to strategic level information and decision-support tools for the entire Canadian search and rescue community. Hosted on secure Government of Canada servers and based on SharePoint 2010, the SAR KMS takes a network of systems approach – connecting many different systems (or building blocks) by leveraging common standards, supportive policies and technical innovation. For SAR responders and management officials, the SAR KMS offers a dependable situational awareness and decision-support tool that leverages access to authoritative information shared across the SAR spectrum.

• Why is it important to collect and share statistics on SAR incidents?



• Where has the Canadian Inland Search and Rescue Information System (CISARIS) gone?



• Who can access the SAR KMS?



• When can I access the system?

For additional information contact:

SAR KMS Project Manager
Major M.G. (Gray) Newbold (Ret'd)
Senior Analyst
Directorate of Policy and Programs
National Search and Rescue Secretariat
275 Slater St., 4th floor, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K2

Why is it important to collect and share statistics on SAR incidents?

Maintaining a coordinated, effective, world class search and rescue capability across Canada's vast area of responsibility requires secure, reliable information from a broad number of SAR data sources. Access to a comprehensive source of authoritative information will allow decision-makers to respond decisively to organizational objectives and mandates. The central coordination of SAR statistics promotes interoperability through the effective support of planning, response, risk and resource management activities. Effectively, the information and data shared through the SAR KMS will support decision-makers and planners at all levels in the development of evidence-based policies and programs.

Where has the Canadian Inland Search and Rescue Information System (CISARIS) gone?

The NSS continues to work with the CISARIS incident reporting database project. CISARIS will be incorporated into the SAR KMS, becoming a key building block of the system.

CISARIS - Terms and Conditions of Use

Who can access the SAR KMS?

All recognized members of the Interdepartmental Committee for Search and Rescue (ICSAR), Ground Search and Rescue Council of Canada (GSARCC) and supporting authorities will have access to the SAR KMS based on organizational mandates and as agreed to through data sharing agreements. The NSS will provide a help desk service to register accounts, manage requests for access and support system users.

When can I access the system?

The SAR KMS is currently in phase one development and a test site is expected to be available by early December 2012. At that point information will be provided to SAR organizations on how to login and register to the site.