The policy on contributions for community organized searches for missing persons provides for the Government of the Northwest Territories to make contributions of up to $1,000 to a community council to offset the costs associated with a community council under the authority of the Civil Emergency Measures Act.

The common procedure under the policy, when a person is missing from a community is as follows:

1. the community council determines that a search for a missing person or persons is necessary. A council may determine that the search is necessary either before or after a public search by the RCMP or other federal agency;

2. the community council makes an official request to the regional director to authorize a community organized search;

3. the regional director authorizes the community organized search.

Where there is no recognized community council, the regional director may offer financial assistance under the policy to an appropriate group or organization, such as a hunters' and trappers' association.

Funding is not set aside in advance for search and rescue in communities. Under the policy, the provision of financial assistance for community-organized searches is done on an application basis, at the time that a search is considered necessary by the community council.

Under the policy, the regional director has the authority to approve search-related expenditures and to determine reasonable costs associated with conducting a community-organized search. Aircraft charter costs, the purchase of groceries, fuel, lubricants and minor machine parts may be eligible expenditures.