These secondary request are commonly made for humanitarian reasons that fall within provincial or municipal jurisdiction (e.g. searching for missing hunters, hoisting injured hikers and medical evacuation when civilian agencies are unable due to weather or location).
The centre serves as a communications hub and primary point of contact for the coordination and direction of rescue units and on-scene commanders in order to meet the national objective in the safest and most effective manner possible.
CMCC is tasked with monitoring the Cospas-Sarsat system that detects transmissions from emergency locating beacons on aircraft or marine vessels in distress through Canada's search and rescue area of responsibility.
Secondary resources include the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA) which is a national organization of volunteers, pilots and aircraft owners as well as to those who wish to receive training as spotters and navigators.
Secondary resources include the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (CGA) which is a national organization of volunteer mariners/vessel owners who actively participate in marine searches and receive compensation for their services.
Joint operating agreements and special customs procedures promote maximum cooperation that provides an optimal response to any distress.
One of the most useful tools in the National Search and Rescue Program is the Cospas-Sarsat satellite surveillance system that was jointly founded in 1981 by Canada, USA, France and USSR.