Advancing Search & Rescue Operations with RPAS in Jasper National Park
Empowering SAR Teams with Cutting-Edge Drone Technology
FlySmart Training recently had the privilege of delivering our Search and Rescue Drones Technician Level 2 course to Parks Canada’s Visitor Safety Team in Jasper National Park. This advanced RPAS training was designed to equip rescue professionals with the latest drone capabilities, enhancing their ability to navigate one of Canada’s most challenging wilderness environments with precision and efficiency.
Why Drones Are Essential for Search & Rescue
Search and Rescue (SAR) operations demand speed, accuracy, and real-time intelligence. As national parks experience increasing visitor traffic, the ability to locate lost or injured individuals quickly is more critical than ever.
Integrating drones into SAR missions has revolutionized emergency response by allowing teams to:
Cover vast search areas faster and more efficiently than traditional methods.
Identify missing persons and critical clues using real-time aerial imaging.
Enhance situational awareness with mapping and data analysis.
Improve coordination between air and ground teams for effective rescues.
By integrating RPAS into their established protocols, Parks Canada’s SAR teams can respond to emergencies with greater speed, accuracy, and operational effectiveness, enhancing both search efficiency and rescuer safety.
Inside the Training: Key Components of SAR Drone Training
Advanced Drone Operations for SAR
Participants learned to deploy and coordinate multiple RPAS units, ensuring safe and effective airspace management during live rescue mission scenarios.
Search Tactics & Flight Patterns
The team practiced systematic aerial search techniques, optimizing flight paths to maximize coverage and minimize response time when locating missing individuals.
Real-Time Data Processing & Mapping
Utilizing Nova’s mapping software, participants processed aerial data on the fly, identifying key visual indicators such as backpacks, jackets, or other search targets hidden in dense terrain.
ColorFinder & Thermal Imaging for Precision Detection
Teams explored the ColorFinder tool to enhance object detection, even in low-light or difficult weather conditions. Thermal imaging played a crucial role in identifying heat signatures, enabling SAR crews to pinpoint individuals in remote or obscured locations.
Live Search & Rescue Simulation: Testing SAR Drone Capabilities
One of the most impactful moments of the training was a realistic search and rescue simulation, replicating a missing hiker scenario. To replicate this scenario, the exercise included:
Strategically placed clues (backpacks, jackets) along designated search trails.
A thermal dummy, simulating a lost individual in distress.
Deployment of multiple RPAS units to conduct a coordinated aerial search.
Real-time data processing in Nova, generating precise maps and visual analysis.
Live GPS coordination between aerial and ground teams for a successful search and recovery operation
The exercise demonstrated the power of search and rescue drones, showing how teams can quickly locate, identify, and assist individuals in distress.
Impact on Public Safety & Emergency Response
By integrating RPAS into search and rescue operations, Parks Canada’s SAR teams are now better equipped to respond to emergencies with:
Faster response times, reducing search hours and increasing survival rate
Improved team coordination, increasing clear communication between aerial and ground crew.
Enhanced rescuer safety, reducing risks of hazardous terrain
Data-driven decisions by leveraging aerial intelligence for effective rescues
Strengthening Search & Rescue Across Canada
At FlySmart Training, we are committed to providing specialized RPAS training that empowers first responders, emergency services, and public safety organizations to maximize the potential of drone technology. The success of this UAV certification for emergency responders training with Parks Canada highlights the growing role of drones in SAR and the importance of ongoing skills development in the field.
Ready to Elevate Your SAR Drone Operations?
If your organization is looking to integrate drones into search and rescue operations, our Search & Rescue Drone Technician Level 2 course offers the hands-on training, real-world simulations, and advanced RPAS techniques needed to improve rescue efforts.
