Press release
December 19, 2024
RECCO, the advanced rescue technology manufacturer, announced a helicopter detector has been placed in Newfoundland, Canada. The detector is operated by Newfoundland Helicopters in Deer Lake. This technology will now be available to Gros Morne National Park Visitor Safety and Provincial SAR Teams in the region. The RECCO SAR network stretches now, from coast to coast in Canada, with 5 helicopter detectors in total.
Rescue teams underwent training in the fall, and the unit is now fully operational and ready to support search missions year-round. This advanced capability will enhance the efforts of SAR teams in locating missing outdoor enthusiasts in the region.
“The system is a real-life saving device, and I can see where it would enhance our search capabilities by enabling us to search larger areas in a fraction of the time it would take on the ground,” said Darren Williams, Team Leader of Deer Lake SAR. “In our training session, we detected the lost hiker even before we had a visual on them. Great piece of equipment and should be incorporated in all search and rescue efforts.”
The RECCO helicopter system is used to search for missing people outdoors year-round. The helicopter detector can quickly search large areas, covering a square kilometer in six minutes. Along with helping reduce search times for missing people, the helicopter-based detector can reduce the time and risk exposure for rescue workers during missions.
“We’re excited to have the RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector system operational in Newfoundland,” said Fredrik Steinwall, CEO at RECCO. “There are large areas to cover for the SAR teams in the area. The addition of the helicopter detector will hopefully have an improved impact on the search and rescue missions in these regions year-round.”
The RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector system was launched in 2016, drastically expanding the system's applications from avalanche scenarios to year-round search and rescue missions. The helicopter detector makes it easier to search for all outdoor enthusiasts including hikers, runners, cyclists and hunters by allowing searchers to comb through larger areas more efficiently.
To be searchable by professional rescue teams, one must be equipped with a RECCO rescue reflector. Reflectors are integrated into apparel, helmets, backpacks, running vests, shoes and climbing harnesses by more than 150 brand partners. Reflectors are also available as stand-alone products to be attached to a helmet or a backpack or worn as a belt.
Currently, there are 38 RECCO SAR Helicopter Detectors globally, with 13 located in North America and 25 units deployed across Europe.
