I think we could easily activate another DART styled unit, however, we would have to approach it differently. The DART unit we currently have is quite expensive to operate and maintain, however, I don't believe this really needs to be the case.
Lets look at what I think is a cost effective approach to supporting a "foreign aid specialized unit".
1. Cost of Storage for Equipment: Minimal. Build a few buildings at CFB Trenton specifically designated to this unit, so all of the equipment is right there when we need it. Cost of maintaining those buildings? Just the cost of power (Minimal, since the buildings won't be used particularily often) and heating.
2. Acquisition of Equipment: Minimal. A few dozen first aid kits. A few dozen trauma bags. Replacement materials for the items in the trauma bags, kept seperately. 6 ROWPU's (2 backups, I think the most we've ever deployed is 4 - correct me if I am wrong.) Communications equipment. A few tents of various sizes and styles. A few misc. machines for laundry, cooking, storing food, etc, etc.
3. Personnel: Minimal. Have various personnel posted with their own units, designated as members of this unit also. They will train and be employed as members of their given unit, whether it is infantry, medical, logistics, etc, etc. However, when the DART-styled unit is activated to respond to a natural disaster, these designated personnel are ready to go. This way, personnel costs are kept to a minimum since the personnel already exist, and are continually training in their home units. We don't lack the personnel to man this unit, since this unit would not be manned on a full time basis, nor do we lack the personnel in the required trades to operate this unit.
A few things:
- Transport is always going to be a problem, so no point in even pointing it out. Until the CF procures some kind of heavy lift aircraft, we're going to relay on the good ol' Ukranians to do our heavy lifting for us - or the USAF.
- Costs would be kept to a minimum, since this unit would not be manned full time. Its equipment would be stored in seperate, designated buildings at CFB Trenton, ready for rapid deployment. Personnel would be designated as "DART" personnel, but would train and be employed by their respective units. Then, when "DART" gets the call - these folks pack up and leave. Keeps costs down, while still maintaining proficient levels of training.
- I understand the above may run into problems, if a unit is deployed or otherwise unavailable for deployment. For this reason, we could compensate for it be designating more than the required amount of personnel as DART personnel. Then, if some personnel are not available for deployment (Perhaps because they are already deployed, or otherwise occupied) - there is still sufficient personnel to deploy the unit.
- Equipment wouldn't be a problem, look at the equipment DART brings with them now. A few jeeps, a few trucks, a few ROWPU's, as well as their required equipment for laundry, cooking, storing food, etc, etc. The most expensive acquisition (And one of the only acquisitions I think worth mentioning) would be additional ROWPU units. I know the company (Can't remember the name) filed a lawsuit against the CF for maintenence contracts, however, this is not the only company out there that makes ROWPU units. I don't know what ever came of the lawsuit, but I'm pretty sure we could find another company to provide us with ROWPU units pretty easily.
** For those of you who are unfamiliar with my background, I served in the Canadian Forces for close to 4yrs. I was a reserve MCpl, in the Calgary area. However, I would like to keep my unit a secret due to the fact that other members of that unit post on this site, some of which I did not get along with at all. I now work as a paramedic for Calgary EMS, providing reserve support for our TEMS platoon in conjunction with the Calgary Police Service. I have travelled many parts of the Middle-East in my civilian life with my wife, including Pakistan, several former provinces of the USSR, Mongolia, UAE, and Iran. **
