LOG IN Standard Operating Procedures
Standard Operating Procedures are available for each of the 10 operational phases, provided from the perspective of the SARVAC-National level, Provincial & Territorial Association, or Local team.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are documented guidelines and instructions that provide a consistent and standardized approach to performing a particular task or activity. For the Humanitarian Workforce (HWF), well-defined SOPs are critical to being ready to respond to emergencies and disasters. By establishing clear processes for deploying teams, assessing needs, procuring supplies, and providing aid, SOPs ensure that the HWF can respond quickly and effectively. SOPs are organized into different levels, with each providing a different degree of detail and guidance for specific steps or processes within the activity. By breaking down processes into different levels, the HWF ensures that everyone involved has access to the information they need to carry out their role effectively, minimizing errors, reducing delays, and enabling efficient emergency response.
National
The National level standard operating procedures (SOPs) are the principal instruction documents for directing SARVAC on how to review, initiate, build and deliver a HWF response to a Request for Assistance (RFA) from Public Safety Canada. Once engaged in a RFA, the response will progress from Phase to Phase of the SOPs, detailing the size, capabilities and needs of the response. The outcome is such that all positions required are filled, from the Responders on the ground to the management function required to safely and effectively manage the HWF Deployment utilizing the Incident Command System (ICS).
Provincial/Territorial
The Provincial/Territorial level standard operating procedures (SOPs) are the principal instruction documents for directing Provincial SAR Associations on their role in the HWF response.
Local
The Local GSAR Level standard operating procedures (SOPs) are the principal instruction documents for directing Local GSAR Groups and Responders on their role in the HWF response.
Provincial/Territorial
The Provincial/Territorial level standard operating procedures (SOPs) are the principal instruction documents for directing Provincial SAR Associations on their role in the HWF response.
Phase 1 Notification
The NOTIFICATION Phase begins a process following an emergency incident, whereby the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) makes a Request for Federal Assistance to Public Safety Canada through its Humanitarian Work Force (HWF) Program, for SARVAC’s national operational deployment unit.
Phase 2 Survey
In the SURVEY Phase, SARVAC, with help from Provincial/Territorial (P/T) Associations, undergoes a national survey of its resources in order to determine the feasibility of the Request from a capacity and capability perspective, then submits a proposal for the query to Public Safety Canada.
Phase 3 Alert
In the ALERT Phase, SARVAC communicates a notice to its P/T Associations and regional membership, that SARVAC will either confirm the deployment, or stand-down and not deploy the HWF capability requested by Public Safety Canada (on behalf of the AHJ).
Phase 4 Formation
In the FORMATION Phase, P/T Associations may assist SARVAC with identifying and assembling the response teams from within their qualified regional members: the overall Mission leadership (National Incident Support Team (NIST)), and the operational personnel (Mission Team).
Phase 5 Mobilization
In the MOBILIZATION Phase, P/T Associations remain engaged with their HWF Responders as they receive travel instructions, and with the NIST as it oversees the movement of equipment and supplies, the readying of accommodations and infrastructure, and the travel of HWF to the Base of Operations.
Phase 6 Deployment
In the DEPLOYMENT Phase, once HWF Responders have arrived at the Base of Operations, the Response Coordinator ensures that they are all accounted for, checked-in, and assigned accommodations. HWF Responders will then receive an Orientation Briefing and be given taskings.
Phase 7 Tasking
In the TASKING Phase, HWF Responders receive Tasking Orientation and Operational Briefings from the AHJ and Command Agency, respectively. The Response Coordinator provides Daily Status reports to SARVAC, who, in turn, provide updates to P/T Associations.
Phase 8 On-site Debrief
Prior to demobilizing and returning home, the ON-SITE DEBRIEF Phase occurs, in which all HWF Responders including the leadership, participate in a forum to discuss both positive and negative experiences from the incident. P/T Associations will review and distribute the Debrief to their regional members.
Phase 9 Demobilization
Once the Response Coordinator receives the stand-down request from the AHJ, the NIST is informed, who then executes the Demobilization Plan with assistance from participating P/T Associations. During the DEMOBILIZATION Phase, all personnel, supplies, and equipment are safely returned to their points of origin.
Phase 10 After Action
The AFTER-ACTION REPORT Phase gathers SARVAC, together with P/T Associations and other Stakeholders, to develop a Report that captures the successes, short-falls, and corrective actions from the deployment. SARVAC will incorporate lessons learned into policies and guidance for future missions.
Local
The Local GSAR Level standard operating procedures (SOPs) are the principal instruction documents for directing Local GSAR Groups and Responders on their role in the HWF response.
Phase 1 Notification
The NOTIFICATION Phase begins a process following an emergency incident, whereby the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) makes a Request for Federal Assistance to Public Safety Canada through its HWF Program, for SARVAC’s national operational deployment unit.
Phase 2 Survey
In the SURVEY Phase, SARVAC undergoes a national survey of its resources in order to determine the feasibility of the Request for Federal Assistance from a capacity and capability perspective, then submits a cost proposal for the query to Public Safety Canada.
Phase 3 Alert
In the ALERT Phase, SARVAC communicates a notice to its provincial, territorial, and regional membership, that SARVAC will either confirm the deployment, or stand-down and not deploy the HWF capability requested by Public Safety Canada (on behalf of the AHJ).
Phase 4 Formation
In the FORMATION Phase, with the status of deployment confirmed, SARVAC identifies and assembles the response teams from a select group of qualified HWF Members: the overall Mission leadership (National Incident Support Team (NIST)), and the operational personnel (Mission Team).
Phase 5 Mobilization
In the MOBILIZATION Phase, the HWF Responders receive travel instructions, while the NIST organizes the deployment by overseeing the movement of equipment and supplies, the readying of accommodations and infrastructure, and the travel of HWF personnel to the Base of Operations.
Phase 6 Deployment
In the DEPLOYMENT Phase, once HWF Responders have arrived at the Base of Operations, the Response Coordinator ensures that they are all accounted for, checked-in, and assigned accommodations. HWF Responders will then receive an Orientation Briefing and be given taskings.
Phase 7 Tasking
In the TASKING Phase, the HWF Responders receive Tasking Orientation and Operational Briefings, detailing the equipment, procedures and taskings, from the AHJ and the Command Agency, respectively. The Response Coordinator provides Daily Status reports to the SARVAC leadership.
Phase 8 On-site Debrief
Prior to demobilizing and returning home, the ON-SITE DEBRIEF Phase occurs, in which all HWF Responders including the leadership, participate in a forum to discuss both positive and negative experiences from the incident, decompress, and provide content for an After-Action Report.
Phase 9 Demobilization
Once the Response Coordinator receives the stand-down request from the AHJ, the NIST is informed, who then executes the Demobilization Plan. During the DEMOBILIZATION Phase, all personnel, supplies, and equipment are safely returned to their designated points of origin.
Phase 10 After Action
The AFTER-ACTION REPORT Phase gathers SARVAC, together with key Stakeholders, to develop a Report that captures the successes, short-falls, and corrective actions from the deployment. SARVAC will incorporate the lessons learned into policies and guidance for future missions.