Joint Rescue Coordination Center Halifax
The Joint Rescue Coordination Center Halifax (JRCC Halifax) is a rescue coordination center operated jointly by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). JRCC Halifax is responsible for coordinating search and rescue (SAR ) operations in the event of accidents and disasters. The Search and Rescue Region (SRR) of the JRCC Halifax covers an area that extends on the Atlantic Ocean from 30 ° to 42 ° west longitude and south 70 ° north latitude. Furthermore, the JRCC Halifax is responsible for the territorial waters off the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador , Prince Edward Island , New Brunswick , Nova Scotia , as well as for the eastern area of the province of Quebec and the southern area of Baffin Island. The area covers 4.7 million square kilometers. The surface consists of 80% water. In addition, the JRCC supports the local authorities in natural disasters. The coordination center is located on the Canadian military base CFB Halifax .
Coordination Center
The emergency center is constantly manned by the armed forces and the Canadian Coast Guard. There are three such institutions in total. One is located in Trenton, Ontario which covers the provinces of Ontario , Manitoba , Alberta , Northwest Territories and Saskatchewan . Another is in Victoria , British Columbia , which is responsible for British Columbia and the Yukon .
Operational resources
Air rescue
For use in air rescue, the JRCC Halifax has the 413 Transport and Rescue Squadron available, which is stationed at the Canadian Forces Base Greenwood in Nova Scotia . The 9th Wing Gander is also available at the Gander Airport base in Newfoundland. Both squadrons have several helicopters of the types CH-149 Cormorant and CH-146 Griffon , which can rescue castaways from the Atlantic.
In addition, a civilian search and rescue association was set up. The Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA) is an organization of volunteer pilots and aircraft owners who make their machines available and actively participate in search and rescue operations. They receive compensation for their work.
Sea rescue
The Canadian Coast Guard provides the primary rescue resources. Their patrol boats operate in the coastal areas of Nova Scotia , Newfoundland and Labrador . In addition, the military patrol boats of the Royal Canadian Navy , which also sail the coastal waters, are available.
Networking
The JRCC Halifax works very closely with other rescue agencies. In addition, capacities are made available to one another. This includes:
- JRCC Trenton, to the west
- RCC Boston, southwest
- RCC Norfolk, to the south
- RCC Southampton, east
The Canadian JRCCS are networked with one another. The Canadian JRCCS use the Canadian SAR Mission Management System (SMMS) computer network . It is not uncommon for UK, US or Canadian rescue units to receive and initiate rescue operations in foreign territory when the closest unit is ready. Thanks to special cooperation agreements and customs procedures, this enables a high level of operational capability and optimal allocation of resources in the event of accidents.
SARSAT
One of the most important operational resources is the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system, which was jointly developed in 1981 by Canada, the USA, France and the USSR. The system is currently used by 18 countries. The Canadian system consists of three satellite earth stations located in Edmonton, Churchill and Goose Bay. The emergency signals that are sent to the emergency beacons are sent on to the satellites. These satellites send these signals to the earth stations, which forward the data to the operations center in Halifax. The frequencies are set at 121.5, 243.0 and 406.0 MHz.
MRSCs
The Halifax SRR has two Maritime Rescue Sub Centers (MRSCs) , which are permanently manned by employees of the Canadian Coast Guard. These support the coordination center in Halifax in the localization of shipwrecked people in specific geographical locations. MRSC St. John's is responsible for all waters in the Newfoundland and Labrador area . MRSC Quebec covers all waters in southern Québec , the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and the Saint Lawrence River .