At The Scene

"We've been on standby since arriving, and if you're a results-oriented person, the worst thing in the world is to be on standby."

"At 11p.m. [Monday], they just came out and said, 'go home, we don't want you on scene', which was a little bit of a kick.  We've been to over 30 of these and we've never been told to go home."

"They'd have to sedate us and drag us out of there to stop rescue efforts, and I think that's what they were worried would happen."  John Green, chief of Special Operations, International Rescue

They came along because a concerned citizen of Elliot Lake knew of their reputation, knew of some of the missions they had been involved with, knew that if anyone might have a chance to rescue any survivors in the wreckage of the Algo Centre Mall whose roof had caved in on people below, they would, with their experience, have a chance at success.

The roof fell in at 2:15 p.m., the call went out 40 minutes later, and Mr. Green with six of his team members pulled up 40 hours later from their base in Ottawa..

That coincided with the on-site Heavy Urban Search and Rescue team from Toronto announcing through their leader Bill Neadles that it had reached the conclusion that rescue efforts would have to be suspended, due to uncertain conditions.  He was unwilling to risk the physical safety of any of his rescue team, given the potentially perilous situation.

Mr. Green, on the other hand, with his team members, there also on site, champing at the bit, waiting to be given permission to intervene, though the province's Ministry of Labour had barred access.  And International Rescue was summarily informed their expertise was not required.

The Heavy Urban Search and Rescue team, a specialized team of volunteers representing police, firefighters, paramedics, had experienced one past episode where their rescue talents were called upon. 
The International Rescue group has a long history, dating back to the 1984 Union Carbide gas leak in Bhopal, India, to their credit.

They have had experience in disaster scenes in Russia, Afghanistan, Nicaragua, Rwanda, Krygyzstan, Chechnya, Cuba, Burma, Ecuador and Sri Lanka.  They responded to 9/11, the Haiti Earthquake and Hurricane Katrina.  They represent an international group of seasoned and capable rescue workers.

The team leader for the HUSR group had no idea who they were; it was "the first time" he'd ever heard of them.  But he did caution that they couldn't just waltz in claiming to be experts; they had to be formally invited by the province: "They have to be brought in on behalf of the province of Ontario - the province would have to grant them status in order to be sanctioned to come assist us."

The Ontario Provincial Police Command Centre had been contacted by International Rescue before they set out for Elliot Lake, and it was recommended that they go there, and stand by.  Just in case they were needed.  They did that, driving their converted fire truck with special equipment; tires designed for high speed, emergency lights, onboard command centre.

The trailer which is part of their equipment comes with bomb defusing suits, scuba gear, firefighting equipment and rubble-busting explosives and chemicals.  It had lifts, supports, concrete-cutting chainsaws, liquid nitrogen, concrete-cracking explosives and thermite charges.  But though they were there, fully equipped, the province awaited heavy lifting equipment from Toronto.

Handout

The vehicle used by John Green's International Rescue

In the end, there was no rescue.  There was a heavy, oppressive sadness and sense of failure as two bodies were eventually brought out of the wreckage.  And news came down the wire that the federal government in its economic cutbacks will cease to help fund such provincial-municipal search-and-rescue teams.  Why have them at all, when there are professionals such as International Rescue which has branches abroad, specializing in search-and-rescue operations?

They are self-funding, they do not look to government for financial support.  Their private, sister company P.R.E.P Services International, a hazardous materials consulting company, fully supports the search-and-rescue operations of International Rescue.  Employees of P.R.E.P. serve in both organizations, working for the profitable consulting firm, and working as well as participants in rescue operations.  Fully professional.

"It's like holding a dinner party where one of the guests is a sous-chef  and you don't let him help out in the kitchen", remarked Mr. Green as his team left Elliot Lake, disappointed at the reception their expertise and willingness to operate on the disaster scene had received, and wryly recounting the absurdity of the situation.