ERT-SAR (Emergency Response Team Search & Rescue)

The Official Twitter Account of the Emergency Response Team SAR | ERT-SAR

Coord by United Nations OCHA | WHO Medical EMTs | Founded 2002

Humanitarian Service

[ERT-SAR (Emergency Response Team Search & Rescue) @ERTSAR]

Today’s ERTSAR Member Spotlight is on Avinash “Avie” Rughoo.

Avie is part of our Operational Team and also serves as a Committee Member. He brings a strong mix of skills as a Nurse, Medical Manager, and Firefighter, along with a practical, dependable, team-focused approach.

Away from operations, Avi is also a talented foodie, loves to cook, is a dedicated gym-goer, and is a master craftsman when it comes to woodworking. Check out the multilayer cutting board he made with various stripes he cut from Black Walnut and Beach Wood etc. from scratch on the second pic! Amazing!

Caring, capable, and always ready to help.

That Others May Live.

ERTSAR | Emergency Response Team SAR
& ERTSAR Fire Rescue

#Members #Volunteers #Service #Community #Safety #SAR #DisasterResponse #Medics #Rescuers #Firefighters #POlice #EMS #Leadership #BeNiceBeKindBeHelpful

[ERT-SAR (Emergency Response Team Search & Rescue) @ERTSAR]

Proud to see ERTSAR members Patrick Robinson, Alexandra “Ally” Hendriks, and Jamie Shurr recognized by the Province of Ontario with Ontario Volunteer Service Awards.

Years of service, training, deployments, and sacrifice in support of others.

That Others May Live.

#ERTSAR #VolunteerService

[ERT-SAR (Emergency Response Team Search & Rescue) @ERTSAR]

Proper prior planning prevents poor performance....

This planning happens long before our call outs and operational deployments. We believe that preparation is not about carrying more, but about being selective and ready when time and operations require it.

This is a sample of the basic "on-person" standard learned early and carried by all operational ERTSAR members.

(This is not our full kit list. This is just minimum personal kit worn on our person.)

[ERT-SAR (Emergency Response Team Search & Rescue) @ERTSAR]

Driving in Pikangikum First Nation in winter.

Northern communities operate at a different pace and scale, shaped by weather, remote distance, resources and season.

Signs in Ojibwe, snow-covered roads, limited resources and quiet moments remind us where we are and that emergency services here are built around realities very different from those in road-connected cities, even on calm days.

We are welcomed by the community and local responders, and this work is grounded in respect for the people, leadership, and those who serve Pikangikum.

@ERTSAR
@SijoGaryFoo
#Pikangikum #FirstNation

[ERT-SAR (Emergency Response Team Search & Rescue) @ERTSAR]

The ice roads in Pikangikum are now open.

For fly-in Northern Ontario communities, these winter roads are a short-lived lifeline, allowing fuel, food, building materials, and emergency equipment etc. to arrive by ground.

My light-hearted reference (yes, "Back to the Future" if you caught it) belies a serious reality faced by many northern First Nations, including Pikangikum.

This ice road window is brief and weather-dependent, often lasting only weeks. Once the ice melts, access returns to air only, and sometimes water, increasing costs and limiting supplies and emergency response options.

@ERTSAR
@SijoGaryFoo
#shainkimbell

[ERT-SAR (Emergency Response Team Search & Rescue) @ERTSAR]

Merry Christmas and a safe secure peaceful and happy New Year! From your friends at the Emergency Response Team search and rescue!

That Others May Live
@ERTSAR | Emergency Response Team SAR & ERTSAR Fire Rescue

[ERT-SAR (Emergency Response Team Search & Rescue) @ERTSAR]

ERTSAR attended the Fires, Food & Stories event at Crawford Lake — enjoying Indigenous cuisine by Chef Shawn Dockstader and Chef Colton Hart, learning longhouse traditions, and strengthening our continued appreciation for First Nations cultures.

Thanks to the chefs, their families, and Conservation Halton as well as all knowledge keepers and the amazing people from @ConservHalton who were kind, helpful and giving of throw time and resources. From the educators to the lady in the gift shop. So helpful!

#ERTSAR #FirstNations #CrawfordLake #ConservationHalton

[ERT-SAR (Emergency Response Team Search & Rescue) @ERTSAR]

ERTSAR members had a great time at UFLY! Big thank you to Captain Claudio! Here's a fun little video! 😂👏👍
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ERTSAR travel far and wide to deploy on missions and we often fly so this was a very interesting and useful session for us!🛩🌍😃
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#ERTSAR #UFLY #emergencyresponseteam #firefighter #police #Paramedic #medic #doctor #nurse #pilot #plane #777 #topgun #comeflywithme #thatothersmaylive #airplane #fun #goodtimes
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@SijoGaryFoo
#PatrickRobinson
@ERTSAR
#ufly

[Gary Foo @SijoGaryFoo]

Incredible. Grand River Champions Powwow 2025
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@keegunbe
@tylerdashner
@grandrivrpowwow
ERTSAR | Emergency Response Team SAR & ERTSAR Fire Rescue
#firstnations #powwow #indigenous #rp #ig

[Gary Foo @SijoGaryFoo]

Great catching up w/ these fine officers from Six Nations Police

I first met this fine Police dept 30 + yrs ago at a Tribal event. I provided training for their officers (in the 1990s!)

One in particular (Colin!) who was a very dedicated & committed officer. Good man!

Nya:weh

[ERT-SAR (Emergency Response Team Search & Rescue) @ERTSAR]

We had some great chats visiting with the Six Nations Fire Rescue booth and trucks.
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We been visiting these amazing First Responders for years. Great to see you all. Thanks for all you do!
▪︎
Thanks for the advice Chief!
Michael Seth

The food was great here at the First Nations Grand River Powwow!

Thanks our ERTSAR | Emergency Response Team SAR
#FirstNations #firefighter #SixNations #community

[ERT-SAR (Emergency Response Team Search & Rescue) @ERTSAR]

What an amazing event! If you can get here, do come!

Our ERTSAR team was honoured to provide some coverage at the Grand River Champion of Champions Pow Wow this weekend at Six Nations.

A beautiful celebration of culture, drums, dancing, and community.

Huge thanks to the Pow Wow Committee, (and especially Bubba) for having us. Great event at @GrandRivrPowwow

Nya:weh / Miigwech.

Big shout out to the amazing vendors and performers!

#ERTSAR #GrandRiverPowWow #SixNations #FirstNations #ThatOthersMayLive #CommunitySupport #PowWow2025

[ERT-SAR (Emergency Response Team Search & Rescue) @ERTSAR]

"Honoured to present our Certificate of Appreciation to Deputy Chief Mark Andrews and Peel Regional Police on behalf of ERTSAR and ERTSAR Fire Rescue." - Chief Foo.

Peel Police has been a valued partner in supporting public safety and working alongside community-based teams like ours.

We’re grateful for the collaboration, professionalism, and practical support we’ve received over the years, partnerships like these make a real difference.

Peel Regional Police serves over 1.6 million people across diverse communities as Ontario’s second-largest municipal police service.

👏 Thank you to the professionals who help keep our communities safe.

#publicsafety #community #police #service
@ERTSAR @SijoGaryFoo
#ERTSAR #ERTSARFireRescue #PeelRegionalPolice #CommunitySafety #SearchAndRescue #EmergencyResponse #FireRescue #Partnership #ThatOthersMayLive @PeelPolice

[ERT-SAR (Emergency Response Team Search & Rescue) @ERTSAR]

ERTSAR Deployed. Operation Red Sky Phoenix.

[ERT-SAR (Emergency Response Team Search & Rescue) @ERTSAR]

Program Relaunch Announcement | Child Safe Heroes Returns for 2024–2026

We're proud to relaunch the ERTSAR Child & Youth Safety School Program—a trusted, community-driven initiative previously delivered across Canada and the UK, now fully updated for today’s challenges.

Originally launched decades ago, this curriculum teaches real-world safety and personal resilience to children.

The new edition includes enhanced content on Online Safety, Home Hazards, Emergency Awareness, and more—structured across two age-based tiers for meaningful, age-appropriate learning.

📚 Program Features:

✔️ Two Learning Levels:
• Tier 1: Ages 4–7 (visual and activity-based)
• Tier 2: Ages 8–11 (scenario-based and skills-focused)

✔️ Full Colouring Workbook & Take-Home Materials
✔️ Graduation Certificates & ChildSafe Hero ID Cards
✔️ Instructor Certification available soon for schools, SAR teams & educators

🧭 10 Core Subject Areas:
• Personal Safety & Boundaries
• Being Lost & Getting Found
• Wilderness Survival Basics
• First Aid Basics
• Out & About Safety
• Knowing the Emergency Services
• Fire Safety & Prevention
• Emergencies & Disasters
• Online Safety & Digital Awareness
• Health, Wellness & Home Safety

🛡️ This program equips young learners with practical skills, hazard awareness, and the confidence to make safe choices—delivered through interactive lessons, roleplaying, and guided discussion.

We're preparing to launch new Instructor Accreditation Pathways for qualified facilitators to teach this program in schools, clubs, camps, and community spaces.

#ChildSafeHeroes #ERTSAR #YouthSafety #SafetyEducation #InstructorTraining #ThatOthersMayLive #ChildProtection #SchoolPrograms #CommunityResilience

[CASARA @CASARA_National]

Ever wonder what a signal mirror looks like from the air?

This simple yet powerful tool can mean the difference between being seen and being missed during a search and rescue mission. Watch how it catches the aircrew's attention from miles away! 👀

[ERT-SAR (Emergency Response Team Search & Rescue) @ERTSAR]

#TECHRESCUE #ROPERESCUE #ANIMALRESCUE

We did create a quick little few min. video to introduce the activity and training.

Short videos can be good way to share some foundational items and while it's it's not the best video we've made, it covers the basics. :-)

The lesson plan and Training Safety Plan was covered by the DS along with the TAP and any critical safety points and then we did the training.

#YOUTUBE PRIVATE VIDEO:
https://t.co/MCyHrSKqco

@ERTSAR | Emergency Response Team SAR

#NFPA1006 #FireRescue #FireDepartment #Firefighter #Paramedic #Medic #EMS #Police #Doctor #Nurse #EmergencyResponse #SAR #ThatOthersMayLive #Dog #DogRescue #K9 #RopeRescue #USAR

#Repost @SijoGaryFoo

[ERT-SAR (Emergency Response Team Search & Rescue) @ERTSAR]

MAY is ERTSAR’s Fitness Focus Month! 🏋️‍♀️

Throughout May, ERTSAR members are encouraged to be mindful of key aspects of fitness and wellness — and to participate in activities that build strength, resilience, and operational readiness.

Fitness isn’t just about working out — it’s about complete personal health and building and having resilience.

Here’s what we’re focusing on:

🔹Exercise — Move daily and stay active.

🔹Cardiovascular Health — Boost heart and lung endurance.

🔹Strength Training — Build muscles for emergency response & Ops

🔹Flexibility — Maintain mobility, range of motion and reduce injury risks.

🔹Agility — Stay quick, responsive, and ready for dynamic environments.

🔹Balance and Coordination — Improve stability & control under pressure.

🔹Mental Health and Wellness — Stay connected, positive, and self-aware.

🔹Stress Management — Develop skills to stay calm, think clearly & recover

🔹Diet & Nutrition — Fuel performance, recovery w/ healthy food & hydration.

🔹Sleep and Rest — Optimize recovery and mental clarity.

🔹Recovery & Injury Prevention — Warm-ups, cool-downs, & listen to you.

We’ll also share tips, challenges, and activities to support you — because:

💬 Operational readiness starts with personal readiness.

Stay tuned for more!

#ERTSAR #FitnessFocus #ThatOthersMayLive #TeamResilience #OperationalFitness #StressManagement #TeamActive #Police #FIre #Firefighter #EMS #Paramedic #SAR #FirstResponder

#SOMENOTABLEDATES

May 1| First Responders Day (Ontario)
Recognition, Wellness| Police, Fire, EMS

May 4| International Firefighters' Day
Firefighter service & health | Fire

May 6–12| Mental Health Week (Canada)
Mental health awareness| All

May 11–17| National Police Week (Canada)
Police service & wellness | Police

May 15| Mental Health Action Day (Global)
Mental health advocacy | All

[ERT-SAR (Emergency Response Team Search & Rescue) @ERTSAR]

#Repost @sijogaryfoo
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As first responders, we are often first to the crisis or incidents.

The ERTSAR G.O.A.L. (or "Global Operators And Leaders) event this year was to build capacity in crisis response, public safety and awareness if developing negotiations.

#ERTSAR and the New York Association of Hostage Negotiators (#NYAHN) co-hosted this year's G.O.A.L event in Toronto today for an incredibly valuable event in how we respond to all sorts of crisis and emergencies.

Today over a hundred delegates from The Police, Corrections, Fire Rescue and Paramedics attended this incredible event to share and learn. Thank you!

Massive thank you to DM Bernie, ADM Heather and Grace at the PEOC who are always building “A Safe, Practiced, and Prepared Ontario”

and Thank you Lissa, Dr Jeff and Sam from NYAHN!

"Working together, Winning together"

ERTSAR | Emergency Response Team SAR
#NewYorkAssociationofHostageNegotiators
#NYAHN #ERTSAR #crisis #emergency
#communication #safety #team
Lissa RUOCCO
Jeff Thompson, Ph.D.
Rick Salcedo
Samuel Farina
Bernie Derible
Heather Levecque
Grace DeFrancesco
#peoc #EMO #EmergencyManagementOntario
#ThatOthersMayLive