1.   Aeronautical search and rescue service in Rwanda is conducted within Kigali FIR under the coordination of Rescue coordination Center (RCC) from Rwanda Airports Company.
 
2.  Rescue units and search facilities are made available by the Rwanda government agencies, non-government and private organisations as required.
When SAR operations are needed, a Rescue Coordination Centre is established in Rwanda Airports Company’s technical bloc.
The address is as follows:
 
Rescue Coordination Centre
Kigali International Airport
P.O. Box 1171, Kigali
Tel 1: 00250 - 252 - 640 054
Tel 2: +250 - 726952801
E-Mail: kigalircc@rac.co.rw
 
Search and Rescue Point of Contact (SPOC) Address:
Name: Mr. Geoffrey KWIZERA
Tel 1:+250 - 726952801
Tel 2: 00250 - 252 - 640 054
Email: kigalircc@rac.co.rw
AFTN: HRYRYFYX
 
The service is provided in accordance with the provisions contained in Rwanda Civil Aviation Regulations Part 32 (Search and Rescue) and the following ICAO Documents:
 
a) Doc 7030— Regional Supplementary Procedures for Alerting and Search and Rescue Service applicable in AFI region
b) Doc 9731— Search and Rescue Manual

The rescue coordination center is responsible for SAR operations within Kigali SAR region.
Starting from Point 010328.2S 0302822.8E Clockwise along territorial boundary of Rwanda then back to point 010328.2S 0302822.8E
Vertical limits: SFC to UNL

Various elements of the National Police, and military are also available for search and rescue missions, when required.
All aircraft which are to be deployed for SAR operations are equipped so as to be able to communicate on Aeronautical Emergency 121.500 MHz.

1.  Notification of Rescue Coordination Centres (RCCs) The notification shall contain such as following information as is available in the order listed: a) INCERFA, ALERFA or DETRESFA as appropriate to the phase of the emergency b) Agency and person calling c) Nature of the emergency d) Significant information from the flight plan e) Unit which made last contact, time and means used f) Last position report and how determined g) Colour and distinctive marks of aircraft h) Dangerous goods carried as cargo i) Any action taken by reporting office j) Other pertinent marks  
Table GEN 3.6.3 Search and Rescue Units

1.  Search and rescue agreement have been signed between East-African partner states concerning cooperation and coordination, setting for the conditions for entry of each others’ search and rescue units and equipment into their respective territories upon request.

Requests for the entry of aircraft, equipment and personnel from other States to engage in the search for aircraft in distress or to rescue survivors of aircraft accidents should be transmitted to the Rescue Coordination Centre, giving full details of the projected mission and its rationale.

The rescue coordination centre immediately acknowledges the acceptance of such a request and indicates the conditions, if any, under which the projected mission must be undertaken.

The SAR service and facilities in Rwanda are available to the neighboring States upon request through Rescue Coordination Center when they are not engaged in search and rescue operations.

1. Procedures and signals used by aircraft.
 Procedures for pilots-in-command intercepting a distress call or message are outlined in Part 32 of Rwanda Civil Aviation Regulations.
 
2.  Communications
Transmission and reception of distress messages within the Kigali Search and Rescue region are handled in accordance with Rwanda Civil Aviation Technical Standards, Aeronautical Telecommunication Services, communication procedures.
 
For communications during search and rescue operations, the codes and abbreviations published in ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (Doc 8400) are used.
 
The frequency 121.5 MHz is guarded continuously during the hours of service at Kigali Area Control Center/Approach control.
 
In addition, the aerodrome control towers will on request guard the frequency 121.5 MHz..
 
3.  Search and Rescue Signals
The search and rescue signals to be used are those prescribed in Part 32 of Civil Aviation Regulations.