ER007 - Missing Persons

Question 1

ER007

Answer 1

Missing Person

Question 2

What is the goal of search and rescue?

Answer 2

The goal of a ground search operation is to nd the missing person in the best possible condition in the least amount of time.

Question 3

What is the definition of a ground search?

Answer 3

Ground Search means a search directed by the Search Management Team to systematically search a speci ed area to locate a lost or missing person.

Question 4

What does OVERT stand for?

Answer 4

Ontario Volunteer Emergency Response Team
means a member of the volunteer search and rescue unit trained and quali ed under the
Ontario Search and Rescue Volunteer Association (OSARVA).

Question 5

What does PIC stand for ?

Answer 5

Persons in Crisis
means individuals who are experiencing a mental health crisis, emotional disturbance or mental illness which is adversely affecting their ability to function or care for themselves. The crisis, disturbance or illness can be pervasive or situational in nature.

Question 6

When can the search and rescue team be engaged?

Answer 6

At anytime of the investigation.

Question 7

What are the duties of the RTOC or the senior officer on the search and rescue ?

Answer 7

1. Engage the search and rescue unit in a ground search by extending the search area beyond the missing person’s residence or property and
2. Engage the search and rescue unit in a ground search shall be based on the totality of the circumstances, including any missing person’s overall total rating on Part 1 of the YRP475 Missing person report.
3. Ensure that three SAR Managers; and nine SAR Technicians are called in or relieved of their other duties to come in

Question 8

CONDUCTING A GROUND SEARCH FOR A MISSING PERSON

Answer 8

Any searching that occurs prior to responsibility for the search efforts being transferred to a Search Manager shall be recorded in the notebook(s) of the member(s) coordinating the search effort and the member(s) who were searching.

Question 9

Police Supervisors shall upon attending a missing person incident:

Answer 9

1. ensure that members are complying with Procedure LE-026 Missing Person Investigations;
2. based on the totality of the information available, determine if the Search and Rescue Unit may be required;
3. if it appears that the Search and Rescue Unit may be required
   I: request the Real Time Operation Centre or other senior officer attend the scene.
   II: Document any ground search activities already undertaking by members on scene
   III: ensure that the home and immediate area or the immediate area around the point where the missing or lost person was last seen or their last known position, including any outbuildings, vehicles or water hazards in the immediate area have been searched
   IV: ensure that consideration has been given to searching places out of which the person may not be able to escape without assistance
   V: commence a 12X12X12 search pattern as illustrated in Appendix A
   VI: consider the use of Caine Unit, Air Support, Marine Unit and/or Underwater Recovery as investigative support
   VII: if the missing person is a Project lifesaver Participant, confirm that the person was wearing the transmitter when las seen; and
   VIII: ensure that ground search efforts, undertaken prior to responsibility for the search being taken over by a Search Manager are throughly documented

Question 10

Search commander shall

Answer 10

1. upon being noti ed of a missing person investigation where it has been determined that an Urgent or Measured Response is appropriate or if a one (1) is
   scored in two or more sections in categories A,B or C contained in Part 1 of the YRP475 Missing Person Rep

2.consult with the Real Time Operations Centre or other Senior Officer involved with the missing person investigation to determine if a ground search is an appropriate action given the totality of the circumstances

3.consult with the Lead Investigator / Supervisor on scene to determine
I:circumstance of the missing person case
II: how long the person has been missing;
III: resources currently on site; and
IV: the missing person profile within the YRP475 Missing Person Report
V:request any resources that are not already enroute or on scene and will reasonably be required.