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Emergency Services Unit Conducts High Risk Search and Rescue Training in Ottawa
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Members of Ottawa’s Emergency Services Unit, including police officers and paramedics, took part in a High Risk Search and Rescue (HSAR) training exercise on Thursday.
HSAR training in Canada prepares emergency responders for situations where searching for a missing person may involve potential threats to the safety of rescuers, such as encounters with violent individuals or rural environments.
The training equips teams with advanced techniques beyond standard ground searches, including threat assessment, tactical coordination, and rapid decision-making under pressure.
During Thursday’s session, participants ran through realistic scenarios that tested their skills, teamwork, and readiness.
In Ottawa, HSAR operations are carefully managed based on risk. For lower-risk cases, the Emergency Services Unit leads the search. In higher-risk situations, the unit supports tactical teams to ensure safety while still maintaining efficiency and effectiveness in locating missing persons.
HSAR training highlights the commitment of Ottawa’s emergency responders to preparedness, public safety, and protecting the community, the at-risk missing individual(s) and the teams themselves. It reflects a growing focus in Canadian law enforcement on specialized responses for complex and potentially dangerous search operations.