Agencies Collaborate to Conduct Mock Missing Child Training Scenario

Several Calgary-area agencies are participating in a mock exercise this weekend to improve the already strong working relationship that exists during an emergency.

On Sunday, June 22, 2014, the Calgary Police Service, Calgary Search and Rescue Association (CALSARA) and the University of Calgary, will join forces for a mock missing child scenario on the large urban campus. Foothills Search and Rescue and Cochrane Search and Rescue will also participate in the exercise.

More than 80 people – sworn officers and other searchers – will be participating. The University of Calgary campus was chosen as a suitable site for the exercise as it contains large buildings and a dense rural-like area on the property. The environment makes it ideal for the agencies to strategize on how best to search such a large area in the case of a missing child or other emergency.

During the summer months, the University of Calgary operates a number of camps and youth programs, with more than 5,000 children on campus at any given time. The mock scenario will include two lost children (hypothetically from a summer camp) and the search will include pre-designated buildings and light urban and park areas.

This event will also be an opportunity to tour CALSARA’S new Command Post, the main communication hub that links civic, law and safety officials with our search and rescue volunteers working in the field. It is the key infrastructure component of CALSARA’s search and rescue operations.

Media advisory to follow.