The Canadian Emergency Responders Robotics Association (CERRA) is a national organization advancing the effective integration of robotics, autonomous systems, and emerging technologies into emergency response and public safety operations.
CERRA brings together emergency responders, government, academia, industry, and technology developers to identify operational challenges, evaluate new capabilities, develop standards and training, and accelerate the transition of technology from concept to real-world use.
Our work spans air, ground, and water robotic systems, with key focus areas including RPAS and autonomous operations, search and rescue, counter-UAS, airspace coordination, multi-system command and control, cognitive operator performance, artificial intelligence, and advanced payload integration.
CERRA supports applied research, operational exercises, system evaluations, accredited training development, and multi-agency collaboration. We work closely with Canadian and international partners, including academic institutions, public safety agencies, technology companies, regulators, and standards organizations.
Our focus is practical: identify the problem, bring the right people together, test solutions under realistic conditions, establish repeatable standards, and build capabilities that emergency responders can actually use.
Connecting operators, technology, academia, and industry to advance the next generation of emergency response robotics.
To join us simply email cerra@cerracanada.ca
OUR current programs
When it comes to technology we understand the challenges organizations face to stay on pace. Here are the programs that we offer to active members.
TRAINING
Emergency response is a fast moving, dynamic, high consequence environment and the training must be up to that task. In cooperation with our partner agencies, CERRA is developing leading edge standardized training programs for operators of air, ground, and water-based response robot systems across Canada.
Drone as first responder (DFR)
Whether they arrive first to assess a situation, during an incident, or afterwards, robots are proving highly capable of safely collecting information or completing tasks while maximizing the safety of their human responders. For 2024 CERRA will establish 4 DFR evaluation sites in Canadian cities. Information on new systems, new response techniques, new software programs will all be evaluated, and the information shared.
HEAVY LIFT CARGO DELIVERY SYSTEMS
As response robot technology rapidly advances so do the capability options available to emergency services. CERRA is currently partnering with our friends in industry and academia to evaluate the use of heavy lift payload delivery systems in cities, mountains, forests, and water ways across Canada.
Regulations enforcement advisory commitee
Along with Transport Canada, CERRA is proud to co chair the first regulatory and enforcement advisory committee (REAC) Comprised of representatives from law enforcement agencies and Transport Canada, this committee is tasked with providing recommendations on current and future regulations and enforcement programs to contribute to safer communities for all of us.
