The Critical Role of Strategic Leadership in Search and Rescue Programs: IASARC Welcomes Aboard Ms. Dana Tulis
For nearly a decade, Ms. Dana Tulis served as the US Coast Guard’s Director of Emergency Management, providing strategic oversight of the Offices of Search and Rescue, Emergency Management and Disaster Response, and Marine Environmental Response. Arguably, even more important to IASARC, she chaired the US National Search and Rescue Committee, the multiagency body that guides the entirety of the US SAR program; negotiated precedent setting agreements with FEMA for the USCG to be reimbursed during Stafford Act responses; bolstered the SAR training program; drove the evolution of the Satellite program, and ensured the transition of the SAR Satellite Program from NOAA to USCG.
Today, we at the International Association of Search and Rescue Coordinators (IASARC) are proud to announce that Ms. Tulis has joined our Team, serving on both the Board of Directors and supporting our SAR Advocacy mission. IASARC’s mission is to advance the Profession of SAR Coordination through Advocacy for the talented and selfless members of our profession, advancement of the science and technologies that undergird the lifesaving mission, and promotion of professional competence through a rigorous certification process.
When emergencies strike—whether at sea, in the mountains, or across vast deserts—nations must be ready to respond swiftly and effectively. A robust national Search and Rescue (SAR) program is not merely a domestic priority; it is a global obligation rooted in international treaties and the universal duty to protect human life.
Strategic national leadership is crucial to establishing and maintaining these SAR systems. Leaders set the vision, allocate resources, and coordinate agencies to ensure that their country is capable of responding to distress situations efficiently. Without strategic direction, SAR programs can become fragmented, underfunded, and unable to meet international standards.
Treaties such as the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (1979) and the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention, 1944) require participating states to establish coordinated SAR regions and cooperate in rescue operations. These commitments are not symbolic — they are practical frameworks designed to ensure that no call for help goes unanswered, regardless of where or how it arises.
Strong leadership ensures that SAR operations are integrated with national transportation safety strategies. It promotes investment in infrastructure, technology, training, and international cooperation. It also ensures that systems are resilient, ready for both routine rescues and large-scale disasters.
Ultimately, protecting life is a fundamental duty of any nation. Unfortunately, not every country has a robust SAR program. According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), “roughly 54 per cent of States do not have a mechanism to ensure that SAR personnel are regularly trained” and “[o]nly 39 percent of States ensure that their [Rescue Coordination Centers] are staffed 24 hours a day.” IASARC partners with nations and SAR organizations to build effective SAR services and promote the advancement of our profession, ultimately saving more lives. Strategic leadership in SAR is not just about compliance with international obligations; it is about moral responsibility, national security, and public confidence in the safety of transportation systems. In a world increasingly interconnected by air, sea, and land, no nation can afford to neglect the strategic leadership necessary to save lives when it matters most, and IASARC is here to support.
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