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RECOMMENDED
CAVE RESCUE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES


 
1. General public contacts RCMP or
PEP ECC (BC or Alberta)
1-800-663-3456
  Concerned member of the public or caver contacts a BCCR caver or coordinator
Go to Step 3.

2. RCMP or PEP ECC contacts BCCR -

  • 1st - Provincial Coordinator; if no contact -
  • 2nd - Area Coordinators, preferably in order listed; if no contact -
  • 3rd - individual cavers as listed for communities nearest incident who will either contact a designated Coordinator or proceed to Step 3 on an acting basis.

3. BCCR representative provides expert assessment of situation and pursues an A or B response, as appropriate.


  A. Major or Life-Threatening Situation

A4 - BCCR recommends that RCMP initiate a formal rescue operation under the 1992 BCCR/PEP/RCMP/BCAS Memorandum of Understanding, mobilizing support as appropriate. RCMP contacts PEP ECC to obtain Task Number for operation.

A5 - Upon initiation of A4, BCCR designates a Coordinator to work with designated RCMP, PEP and BCAS representatives.

A6 - BCCR undertakes a callout -

  • 1st - area cavers and resources
  • 2nd - out of area cavers andresources
  • 3rd - NCZC (American) resources- may also request, through RCMP, specific support from PEP (e.g. air transport, surface support)

A7 - BCCR designates:

  • field cave rescue leader
  • off-site central BCCR contact

A8 - Cave rescue proceeds under RCMP authority with PEP liaison, above ground support and Task Number.

  B - Less Serious (e.g. overdue party)

B4 - BCCR representative consults with BCCR Coordinators and local cavers to further evaluate the situation. If not already contacted, RCMP may be alerted and briefed.

B5 - BCCR may dispatch a team to investigate, assist, etc., as appropriate

B6 - BCCR reports back to RCMP and PEP ECC with

  • internal resolution and incident closed, or
  • proceed to Step A4


The Canadian Cave and Karst Info Server


Created 23 September 2006.