In 2018, Danielle Mackie, a resident of Grimsby, Ont., with limited boat-driving experience, joined a local marine search and rescue group. Fast forward to today, at 30 years old, she is a flight paramedic serving remote northern Ontario communities. Mackie recently participated in an international training for women in search and rescue in Sydney, Australia, where she was one of two Canadians in attendance.
As a member of GAMRU South Shore Search And Rescue, Mackie responds to various water emergencies, including incidents such as breakdowns of boats and rescuing swimmers caught in high winds while on inflatable unicorns.
Mackie’s decision to volunteer for the team during her final year studying geographical information science and anthropology at the University of Toronto stemmed from her desire for a physically engaging, outdoor activity that also allowed her to help others, as she shared with CBC Hamilton.
Volunteer rescuers operate in western Lake Ontario
GAMRU, short for Grimsby Auxiliary Marine Rescue Unit, falls under the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary’s central and arctic division. This non-profit volunteer organization covers emergencies in western Lake Ontario, from Toronto to Niagara, and can be dispatched either from the water during training or from a designated land base near Fifty Point Conservation Area in east Hamilton.
Individuals in need of water rescue can contact the coast guard through VHF radio on channel 16 or by dialing *16, which leads to the dispatch of GAMRU. Director Doug Mepham mentioned that GAMRU has completed 35 rescues this season and expects more over the upcoming long weekend.
Mepham, a 25-year veteran, leads a team of about 45 members with diverse day jobs, ranging from police officers to university professors. He highlighted Mackie’s remarkable progress despite her initial lack of experience, emphasizing that proper training, a positive attitude, and ambition can propel volunteers to higher levels of competency.
Mackie’s passion for search and rescue led her to contemplate a full-time role at GAMRU, but financial considerations led her to pursue paramedic training and subsequently secure a position with Air Bravo in Thunder Bay, Ont. Currently, she alternates between two-week work shifts, transporting individuals in fly-in Ontario communities to and from medical facilities.
Mackie appreciates the problem-solving skills acquired through her GAMRU experience, which prove invaluable in her role as a paramedic, often operating solo with limited equipment access. Her dedication to volunteering with GAMRU led to her selection as one of 15 participants for the International Maritime Rescue Federation’s Women in Search and Rescue training in Australia this year, alongside British Columbian Grace Timney.
The training involved group exercises such as charting courses and mock search and rescue scenarios. Mackie found the experience enlightening, particularly when charting in a different hemisphere, showcasing the practical survival skills acquired through volunteer training at GAMRU.
Mackie advocates for increased female representation in search and rescue
Mackie cherished the opportunity to interact with women from diverse backgrounds during the training, highlighting the importance of addressing issues faced by women in the male-dominated marine industry. She emphasized the need for more women in search and rescue roles, citing her encounters with sexism as a part-time tour boat captain in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Encouraging young individuals to pursue similar paths, Mackie stressed the importance of resilience and continuous learning, even in the face of initial challenges.
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