Call for Presenters

Call for Presenters

The National Search and Rescue Secretariat in conjunction with its co-hosts have put together a vibrant conference program which we hope will be of great interest to all full and part time frontline SAR, emergency management and prevention outreach professionals as well as policy/decision makers in the areas of aviation, maritime, ground and urban SAR.

We are seeking involvement from the SAR community, to speak to the topics in this year's program. This is a Call for Presenters for all of the conference sessions outlined in the tentative program.

We are inviting individuals to submit a proposal if you have:

• in-depth working knowledge or expertise in one or more of the session topics;
• a new spin on a session topic or different point of view; or
• have any new information, real life examples or lessons learned that will contribute to the level of discussion on a session topic.

Proposed Session Topics

• Field Notes: Using Technological innovation to Share Information
  
  This session is intended to look at the use and flow of information at the tactical level of SAR operations. The session will provide a discussion on the way information is used by searchers including the incident manager during a search mission. It will include a demonstration of how technological innovation can enable information sharing among all the responders.



• Exploring the SAR Cloud: How case management technology can harness information to advantage
  
  This session is intended to look at the use and flow of information at the operational level. The session will provide a discussion on the way information is managed by incident managers during a search mission and the sharing the information upward to the EOC level where a common operating picture is used to provide wide situational awareness across an area of responsibility. It will include a discussion/demonstration of how technological innovation can enable information sharing downward to support the tactical level and upward to strategic leaders.



• Data Storm: How the massive influx of SAR information can be used to advantage
  
  This session is intended to look at the use and flow of information at the strategic level. The session will provide a discussion on the way aggregated information is used by strategic leaders to create risk awareness, manage resources and conduct gap analysis in order to manage collaborative policies. It will include a discussion/demonstration of how technological innovation can enable decision support tools and information sharing across the National SAR Program and downward to support the operational and tactical levels.



• SAR NIF Projects
  
  This session will showcase a few best practices and successful past and current SAR NIF projects, which may assist you and your own SAR organization to transform your ideas into future SAR NIF projects.



• Trip Planning, Training and The Essentials – the power of focused messaging in prevention programs.
  
  From kiwis to kayaks, coast to coast and everything in between, this session could explore the implementation of the AdventureSmart program within Canada and New Zealand. Slightly different models, unique branding, concise messaging and a network of enthusiastic and expert partners, the highlights and opportunities of AdventureSmart across these countries will be revealed.



• EMO &SAR (Interoperability)
  
  This session could explore the challenges and issues involved in achieving seamless SAR when multiple organizations spanning a number of jurisdictions are involved. We are especially interested in drawing upon "lessons learned" from real SAR incidents and from major SAR exercises. Organizations of interest include primary SAR responders, police forces, airlines, coroners, safety boards, EMO's and other government organizations who have demonstrable experience in the challenges of achieving interoperability.



• Technology Foresight
  
  The intent of this session is to provide SARscene participants with a first look at technology that is currently being developed in the private and public sector, and how the technology in development will enhance SAR capabilities (prevention and response) once they arrive on the market. Examples of emerging technology include, but are not limited to:
  • UAVs;
  • Apps for mobile devices/tablets/computers;
  • Innovation in prevention (i.e. new PFD technology);
  • Beacon/Alerting devices



• Incident Command System for Search and Rescue: Implementing an Interoperability All Hazards Approach to Incident Management



• Missing to Lost Persons: A Police Perspective



• Social Media: Should you be on Twitter and FB, and how to leverage social media for outreach, prevention, response and crisis.



• Crisis Communications: How to respond to media and other stakeholders during a crisis



• Best Practises: Training the SAR Volunteer.



• Best Practises: Organizing an outreach event for prevention or recruiting.



• Or, any other topic that involves one or more of the Five Strategic Directions of the National SAR Program (NSP) through the 2010-2015 planning period:
  
  
  • Strengthening the National SAR Program (NSP)
  • Supporting Volunteers
  • Delivering Public Education
  • Integrating Science and Technology
  • Focusing on Northern and Remote SAR

Session Length

Sessions will be 40 minutes however some topics where there are two or more presenters presenting on the same topic may be expanded to a 90 minute panel discussion.

Deadline for Proposals

Please send your proposal by e-mail to sarscene@nss-snrs.gc.ca by July 15, 2012. (DEADLINE EXTENDED)

Preparing your proposal

Your proposal must include the following:

1. The topic from the list of open topics that you are interested in presenting.*
2. An outline of up to 350 words describing the information that you would present in relation to the topic.
3. Your contact information (name, position, organization, mailing address, telephone number and e-mail address).
4. Brief biographical sketch (200 words maximum).
5. Any special audio-visual requirements (ie video, audio, etc).

* Proposals for multiple topics will be accepted.

Proposal Evaluation

Proposals will be evaluated by the SARscene 2012 – Conference Program Sub-committee and will be selected based on the best fit with the presentation topic.

Remuneration

In appreciation for the time, expertise, and resources speakers invest by volunteering to present at SARscene, the NSS offers the following as a token of appreciation:

• Complimentary registration to SARscene 2012

Regrettably, we cannot offer conference presenters compensation for their time, travel or accommodations.

If you have any other presentation ideas for SARscene 2012, please don't hesitate to send us an email at sarscene@nss-snrs.gc.ca.