Zone 2: Miramichi

Contact Our Zone: miramichi@casara.ca

Since 2005, operating from the Miramichi airport our members have trained in the air and on the ground, carrying out ELT (Electronic Locator Beacon) and RPAS (drone) searches. We train so we are ready to support the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in actual searches for missing aircraft or persons or their training exercises. A real highlight for many is their first flight on a military aircraft.

In addition, we promote aviation safety to the local general aviation community through our Smart Pilot Program.

Safety in our Zone is a priority during actual searches and training exercises. Following procedures, briefings, and discussions ensures everyone has a safety mindset.

Geographically our location is important as it provides search capabilities for northern New Brunswick up to Québec over heavily wooded terrain.

Zone 2 members have shared that they joined CASARA because of their love of aviation. They are also proud of their contribution to the local SAR (Search and Rescue) community joining Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR), Coast Guard, City of Miramichi Fire, Miramichi Police Force (PF), RCMP detachments, Ambulance NB (ANB) the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization (NBEMO).

Members are given the opportunity to certify in various positions. These positions require ongoing training to maintain currency and ensure we are ready in the event that our services are called upon.

Members are not overwhelmed by ongoing training expectations; they choose. Some certify in multiple roles while others choose to certify and maintain currency in one. Others don’t train at all preferring a support role in zone administration.

We fly a Cessna 182 privately owned aircraft. We serve as spotters on the CF CC-130 Hercules aircraft and CH-149 Cormorant when requested by RCAF.

Our base is at the Miramichi Airport (CYCH) it serves as a hub for zone meetings and training exercises. This is the RCAF Search Headquarters (SHQ) in the event of an actual search.

We don’t work alone. There are three other zones in the province – Fredericton and Saint John – contributing to a network of hundreds of zones across Canada. CASARA has 9.985 million km² of Canada covered.

That’s the job. That’s why we’re here. CASARA’s motto is:


"That Others May Live"


Volunteer Roles

Your skills and those we teach you enable you fill many positions like a spotter, navigator, radio operator, ground homing specialist, RPAS team member, search driver, first aid and safety officer, assistant search master, search coordinator, instructor, training officer, social media contributor, commander and deputy commander, administrator, committee chair, director and deputy director. What you take on is a sliding scale, you choose the best fit for you!

See details of some the following roles and qualifications required by clicking the button below.

Membership Requirements

You do not need to be a pilot to volunteer for CASARA; no previous aviation experience required just an interest in training in the search and rescue aviation community. Here are some of our core membership requirements in becoming a member within our zone:

  • Membership requirements are at least 18 years old.
  • Must demonstrate they are either a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, have a work permit or other legal basis to live and work in the country.
  • Known to zone membership through some means such as an interview.
  • Must not be deemed ineligible for membership by the national office.
  • Membership in a CASARA MO must be renewed annually. The term is for a maximum of 15 months and expires on March 31 of the appropriate year.

Contacts

Initial contact for any of these following people should be through: miramichi@casara.ca

Zone Commander: Herb Marr
Zone Deputy Commander: Jamie MacDonald
Zone Secretary: Lynn Marr
Zone Training Officer: David Finlay
Zone Quartermaster: Zone Safety Officer: Richard Sutherland
Zone Outreach and Membership: Michelle Lilly
Zone Chief Pilot: David Finlay Zone RPAS Pilot: David Finlay Zone Chief Navigator: Jody Coakley

Zone Pictures