Canadian Mountain Rescue Atlantic (CMR Atlantic) is an all-volunteer, non-profit technical rescue team based in Windsor, Nova Scotia. We provide rope, chairlift, swift water and confined space rescue, and we train others to do the same.
Founded in 2021, CMR Atlantic gives local fire services, municipalities and ski operators a trained, equipped and deployable technical rescue capability that most departments can't maintain on their own.
We operate from Ski Martock / Ontree in Windsor, NS, and work in partnership with the Brooklyn & District Volunteer Fire Department. Every member is a volunteer.
We go where standard equipment and training stop. Our operating environment includes large sea cliffs, gorges and embankments, water towers and grain silos, chairlifts, moving water and confined spaces.
Raising and lowering systems, rescuer-attended litter operations and pick-offs on sea cliffs, gorges and tall structures such as water towers and grain silos.
Rope-assisted patient movement on steep embankments, ravines and difficult terrain.
Tower and ground-based evacuation of stranded riders, coordinated with lift operations and ski patrol.
Shore-based and rope-based moving water rescue support for flooding and river incidents.
Rescue from tanks, vaults, grain silos and other confined spaces, alongside Brooklyn Fire and other requesting departments.
We train hands-on in the same skills we deploy, led by our chief, an NFPA-certified technical rescue instructor and confined space instructor.
We deliver technical rescue training to fire departments, industrial emergency response teams and partner organizations. Ask us about a session.
When local responders need technical rescue, the CMR Atlantic team is activated alongside them.
A hiker broke his leg in a riverbed no vehicle could reach. Working with Brooklyn volunteer firefighters and EHS paramedics, our team crossed steep terrain and deep pools, cleared a path for the Stokes basket and hauled him up a 70-metre bank on a rope system.
CBC News coverage →With a family stranded in their home by rising water, our team set up rope systems so rescuers could safely reach the house and bring the family back out.
SaltWire coverage →After a boat sank on the Annapolis River, our team supported local fire departments and search and rescue crews in the recovery effort.
CBC News coverage →With more than 250 people stranded and the bridge washed out, the CMR Atlantic team was activated. We strung highlines across the moving water and, over the course of the deployment, brought 220 people to safety, including firefighters trapped for over 24 hours, and moved medical supplies, food and fuel.
CBC News coverage → · PhotosTraining days, exercises and real-world response.
Technical rescue calls are rare, high-risk and expensive to prepare for. Partnering with CMR Atlantic gives your community that capability without building it from scratch.
We work alongside the Brooklyn & District Volunteer Fire Department and can support other departments under their incident command.
We are working toward formal agreements with municipalities and regional emergency management so communities can count on a recognized technical rescue resource.
We help ski areas stay ready for chairlift evacuations through joint training days and rescue planning with lift operations and ski patrol.
We're looking for committed people who want to train hard and show up for their community. No rope experience needed. New members earn their place through training and commitment. Donations and equipment sponsorships keep our gear current and our training going.
Or email us directly: info@cmratlantic.ca
For partnerships, training requests, membership or media.
For emergencies, call 911.
First responders: request us for mutual aid through Valley Dispatch on the TMR radio network.
CMR ATLANTIC