Draft Details

1.1 General

This Standard provides core competency requirements for GSAR operations for the four core roles of searcher, team leader, SAR manager and canine handler .

1.2 Purpose

This Standard was developed to provide a foundation for interoperability and portability of GSAR skills within Canada. It is intended to facilitate training curriculum development and professional development planning so that competence is maintained and enhanced.

This Standard is an important tool for documenting and communicating the knowledge, skills, and abilities for those involved in GSAR operations and for evaluating performance. It provides a reference tool for multiple stakeholders and presents a starting point for meaningful discussion about the future direction of GSAR in Canada.

1.3 Terminology

In this Standard, “shall” is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the Standard; “should” is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and “may” is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard.

Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.

Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements.

Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.