On behalf of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC), the Canadian Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA), the Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC) and the Canadian Emergency Response Robotics Association (CERRA), we are excited to share that our organizations will be working together on the creation of a community of practice and policy for the use of RPAS beyond visual line of sight.

While focussed on BVLOS, the ultimate goal of the project is to improve create a community of policy and practice and improve interoperability between fire departments and search and rescue organizations. The project was made possible by Public Safety Canada’s Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund.

This project will bring the four organizations together in the development and use of:

• A virtual community of practice for drone operators who have, can or should achieve beyond visual line of sight authorization for existing drone use in search and rescue.
  • This could include the members of the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASAR), CAFC, Search And Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC), Canadian Emergency Responder Robotics Association (CERRA);
• Standardized training, education and materials that can assist in achieving BVLOS authorization from Transport Canada.
  • This will include information materials, templates and guidelines;
• Standards of practice for BVLOS operators in SAR nationally irrespective of the organization type as it pertains to search and rescue
• A database accessible to all emergency responders of BVLOS operators in SAR nationally who can provide mutual aid services for searches that require set up beyond a specific jurisdiction.