News: IKAR/CISA annual conference in Sweden

The last October 18-25th, The Swedish National Police Board, the Swedish National Environmental Protection Board and CIFRO, were the hosts this year of the IKAR/CISA Conference 2011 in Åre, Sweden; the land of the midnight sun.

IKAR/CISA Conference (the world’s maximun authority in mountain rescue), were the perfect place to share new equipment and techniques between numeorus international mountain rescue teams who participated in this event. Here we present a brief of all what happened in this annual meeting.

News: CIRO Rescuers acknowledged for their dedicated service

On November 10^th, three members of CIRO were presented Alberta Emergency Services Medals by MLA Mary Anne Jablonski , Red Deer County Mayor Jim Wood, and RCMP S/Sgt. Frank Deheer.

Laurie Patterson, Angela Willson and Randy Willson were acknowledged for having committed their time for over 12 years as search and rescue volunteers, providing search and rescue services.

The Alberta Government initiated the Alberta Emergency Services Medal to recognize Alberta emergency services personnel who selflessly dedicated their time, talents and in many cases their lives to the service of others. The medal pays much-deserved tribute to outstanding full time, part-time and volunteer members who have committed 12 or more years of their careers to emergency service in Alberta and recognize personnel from disciplines that are not recognized by any other award.

News: CIRO attends Multi National Exercise

On October 23^rd, 13 members of CIRO travelled to College Station, Texas, where they teamed up with British, Belgian, German and American Urban Search & Rescue (USAR) teams in a mock earthquake scenario. The five day scenario took place at “Disaster City”, a 52-acre installation on the campus of Texas A&M University where a fake, destroyed town was built for the sole purpose of training workers who save lives after mass-casualty events.

The exercise was the first to bring together teams from around the world to show that despite different languages, equipment and techniques, rescuers all can work together for a common purpose- saving lives. This was proven during the week as CIRO team members integrated with the Belgian, German and British teams to conduct search and rescue operations. During the five days, rescuers were presented with five different scenarios which required using skills such as Search, Command, Planning, Logistics, High Angle rescue, Confined Space rescue, Structural Collapse and Wilderness rescue.

Our Canadian team received great kudos from their International partners, and all vowed to train and work again in the future.

News: New CIRO Fundraiser Travel Mug

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