FEATURE STORY
New Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre opens in Victoria
by Patrick Ciavaglia
Western Canada's Search and Rescue (SAR) co-ordination capabilities became
more efficient with the opening of the new Joint
Rescue Co-ordination Centre (JRCC) in Victoria, last April.
Canadian Air Force and Canadian Coast Guard personnel helped design the
command centre when the project began about two years ago. Besides having
more space to work in, the layout enhances the on-duty officers' ability
to communicate with each other, both electronically and verbally.
Built close to the old centre in a building that was constructed in 1901,
the new JRCC is designed to improve the functionality of monitoring and
coordinating response to SAR incidents.
 Equipped
with the Search and Rescue Mission Management System, officers are now
flanked by several low mass flat-screen monitors that display near real-time
information on sea and air activity in the area.
While the new set-up will help facilitate daily operations, the real
advantages will be witnessed when a major SAR call comes in. A unified
command centre, with glass doors so officials can observe the control
room, is incorporated into the layout.
This room has screens displaying all the latest information on the mission
so concerned officials can keep up-to-date without getting in the officers'
way. As well, there are media terminals for the representatives to maintain
contact with their superiors.
Patrick Ciavaglia was a Communications Officer on contract with the
National Search and Rescue Secretariat during the summer of 2004.
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