Theresa Burton passes NASAR SAR TECH II Certification

Theresa Burton, K9 handler for SWPANSAR, passed her NASAR SAR TECH II certification exams with flying colors!  The certification tests include a written test and field exams that cover many topics.  A searcher must know the fundamentals of search and rescue, SAR incident management and organization as defined by Incident Command System used by local, state, and federal organizations.  The searcher must be able to navigate on land and demonstrate the proper use of a compass by completing a land navigation course.  A 24 hour pack check is completed to make sure the searcher meets the NASAR requirements for equipment.  Search techniques such as closed grid searches must be understood and demonstrated while completing a course looking for clues.  Congratulations to Theresa!  All SWPANSAR K9 handlers are NASAR certified!

SWPANSAR participate in NASAR SAR TECH II training exercise

SWPANSAR team members participate in a NASAR SAR Tech II training exercise in Pensacola, FL.  The weekend classes are intended to prepare students for the upcoming NASAR SAR Tech II certification tests.  While most of our members are already NASAR SAR Tech II, we are glad to participate and assist the students.

Nancy Locke presents Certificate of Appreciation to Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office

  Nancy Locke of SWPANSAR (Southwest Panhandle Search and Rescue) presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Sheriff Wendell Hall of the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office for their support of our team.  Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office donated a boat, motor and trailer for our training use.  The boat will be critical for training Human Remains Detection K9's on the water.  The impact of the donation will go beyond our team as it will also allow us to participate in the development and testing of national standards for HRD Water testing.  The department also donated radios, which are greatly needed, and bullet resistant vests to add to our safety equipment.  We look forward to working with Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office and truly appreciate their support.  The Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office website is located at www.santarosasheriff.org.

Pictured from left to right:  Laurie Strite, Nancy Locke, Sheriff Wendell Hall, Cindy Sarver

SWPANSAR presents at SARSAR conference in Mobile

SWPANSAR appreciated the opportunity to present at the SARSAR Conference in Mobile on Monday, January 11th.  SARSAR stands for South Alabama Rescue Search and Recovery.  The organization was formed to bring rescue organizations together as a forum for learning and an opportunity for all of the organizations to understand each other's capabilities.  The meetings are currently being run by the U.S. Coast Guard.  The conferences have been successful and well attended by such organizations as: Alabama Marine Police, Alabama State Police, Civil Air Patrol, Daphne Search and Rescue, Escambia Search and Rescue, Mobile County EMA, Mobile County Health Department, Mobile Fire and Rescue, Mobile Sheriff's Office, North Baldwin Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue, SWPANSAR, and the U.S. Coast Guard.   We presented our teams services and goals, the dispatch process, our K9 disciplines, an excerpt from our Lost Person Beavior class, and some of the things we are looking forward to in 2010.

Sirius receives NAPWDA, NASAR, and NSDA Air Scent certifications

SWPANSAR K9 team (Jen Morgan and Sirius) received NASAR SAR Tech II K9 Air Scent certification and NSDA Area Search certification on January 7th.  Sirius had previously certified through NASAR SAR Tech III Air Scent but was able to acheive the next level of certification by passing a more difficult test.  They also received NAPWDA Area Search certification on January 8th.  The tests vary in specifics but each requires the K9 to locate a missing person in the wilderness and to indicate the find to the handler.   The K9 continues to recall and refind until the handler reaches the missing person.   It is really quite an accomplishment to certify a K9 team through three national ogranizations.  We are proud of Jen and Sirius!

Nova receives NASAR SAR TECH III K9 Air Scent certification

SWPANSAR K9 handlers attend workshop by U.S. Border Patrol K9 Master Trainer

SWPANSAR K9 handlers attended a 3-day certification and evaluation workshop with Robert Noziska, a U.S. Border Patrol K9 master trainer.  The workshop was an excellent opportunity to bring in a trained eye to evaluate our K9's.  Information and ideas were exchanged while developing education plans and goals for each SWPANSAR K9.  Jen Morgan, Laurie Strite, and Theresa Burton found the workshop to be extremely valuable as each K9 continues to develop.  In the pictures below, Robert Noziska shares training tips with Jen Morgan and Sirius and then Jen and Vision.

This workshop would not have been possible without the support of Homewood Suites (Daphne), Blakely State Park, Richard and Rita Higbee, Original Oyster House (causeway), and Beef O'Brady's (Spanish Fort) and of course the U.S. Border Patrol.

Merry Christmas from SWPANSAR

SWPANSAR would like to wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  May your holiday season be filled with peace, love, health, and happiness and may God bless you all. 

SWPANSAR asked to assist in search for two missing hunters in Bay Minette, AL

SWPANSAR was asked to assist in the search for two missing hunters on the Tensaw River.  The details of the search can be found at:

http://www.wkrg.com/weather/article/possible_leads_on_missing_hunters_investigated/559538/Dec-07-2009_11-20-pm/

http://www.wkrg.com/alabama/article/mom_expresses_thanks_for_search_efforts/562103/Dec-09-2009_8-28-pm/

http://www.wkrg.com/alabama/article/second_paddle_found_as_search_continues/568698/Dec-12-2009_10-44-am/

http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/local_news/baldwin_county/hunters-still-missing-in-baldwin-county

http://www.local15tv.com/news/local/story/Crews-Ask-For-Publics-Help-In-Search-For-Missing/06PToQOqSkanyQvoz-9Imw.cspx

http://www.wkrg.com/alabama/article/search_for_missing_hunters_not_over/580782/Dec-17-2009_9-48-pm/

SWPANSAR K9 Vision receives AKC Award for Canine Excellence

SWPANSAR K9 Vision, one of our human remains detection K9's, was entered into the American Kennel Club Award for Canine Excellence contest (ACE of the Year).   Thousands of K9s are entered each year in various categories and Vision was one of five Honorable Mentions in the Search and Rescue category.  The award of a medal is made annually based on a dog's performance and in Vision's case, she had 8 recoveries in 2008, an amazing performance for a SAR K9.   Vision's K9 handler is Jen Morgan and they make a wonderful team - we are truly proud of them!

76 year old Nelson Robinson wandered away from his Grand Bay home.  SWPANSAR responded to the scene to aid in the search.  Mr. Robinson was found alive approximately 200 yards away from his home in a patch of woods.  Click on the link below to read the news story.

                             News Story:   http://www.wkrg.com/alabama/article/missing_alzheimers_patient_found_safe/506627/Nov-06-2009_12-00-am/

7 month old Shannon Lea Dedrick went missing from her home in Chipley, FL sometime during the Halloween weekend.  Law enforcement, search and rescue teams, volunteers, and the public launched a search lasting four days.  On Wednesday night, Shannon was found alive!  The police have taken several individuals into custody as they sort out what happened and why.  Click below to listen to the news conference and read the news story.

                             News Conference:   http://www.newsherald.com/video/?videoId=48303751001&play=now

                                    http://www.fosterfollynews.com/news/2009Nov6ShannonDedrick-Sheriff.php

                                    http://www.chipleypaper.com/video/?videoId=48735705001&play=now

                                    http://abcnews.go.com/WN/florida-police-find-month-shannon-lea-dedrick-alive/story?id=9003873

SWPANSAR K9 handlers attend NOCDS seminar

SWPANSAR K9 handlers attended the Network of Canine Detection Services (NOCDS) Seminar from 10/10/09 to 10/16/09.  The seminar was held in Wall Doxey State Park in Holly Springs, Mississippi.  Seminars are important for both the handlers and the K9's as nationally certified instructors teach the latest in K9 search and rescue training methods.  Jen Morgan and K9 Vision worked in the advanced HRD class simulating cases where human remains dogs are required.  Theresa Burton and K9 Zeta attended their first HRD seminar where they were a brilliant new team.  Laurie Strite and K9 Nova worked in the trailing classes which culminated in a mock search for an elderly person that went missing from an assisted care facility.  This training is vital to the continued development of each handler and K9 team. 

                                                                            Pictured above: Theresa Burton, Laurie Strite, Jen Morgan

On October 13th, SWPANSAR participated in the first annual Pensacola Naval Air Station Fire and Safety Awareness Program.  It was held at Cory Station Sports Complex in Pensacola and was a great opportunity for us to showcase two of our K9s.  They were the hit of the show as military personnel from the base and their families circulated among the many booths.  As is always the case, the children are drawn like magnets to the K9s, even when they have real fire engines to play with.

Meet "Quest" - the newest SWPANSAR K9

SWPANSAR is proud to announce the addition of K9 Sierra Echo Altair Quest to the team.  "Quest" is an Australian Shepherd bred by Sarah Elhoffer of Sierra Echo Aussies in Milton, FL.  Quest will join the team as Laurie Strite's K9 partner and K9 Nova's sister.   Quest is just 6 weeks old but is beginning basic obedience training.   Basic obedience training for a puppy seems to be showing her what she is allowed to chew and what she is not.

SWPANSAR asked to assist in Jacksonville, FL search and puts on a K9 demonstration for children

Detective Alan Richardson of the Jacksonville P.D. asked SWPANSAR to assist on a case.  The team would like to thank Detective Richardson for the opportunity to give a lecture and perform a K9 demonstration for the children at his church. 

                Top row:   Helen Winfree, Johnny Winfree, Nancy Locke                                                        K9 Demo & lecture

                           Bottom row:  Jen Morgan, Vision, Detective Richardson
 

Welcome back, Charles!

SWPANSAR asked to assist in search for missing boater in Panama City, FL

The search continues on Wednesday, August 18th for a missing boater that was last seen near Shell Island just off the coast of Panama City, FL.    The details of the search can be found at:

    http://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-suspends-search-for-missing-boater-8/2009/08/18/

    http://www.panhandleparade.com/index.php/mbb/article/search_for_boater_missing_during_tropical_storm_claudette/mbb7718345/

Meet the newest SWPANSAR K9

SWPANSAR is proud to announce the addition of K9 Shiloh to our team.  Shiloh is a Vizsla.  He made the trip from Chenowith Farm outside of Chicago, Illinois to join the team as Nancy Locke's K9 partner.  Shiloh is in training as a therapy dog and will be a welcome addition to our Emotional First Aid Team.

SWPANSAR visits Shepherd's Place in Fairhope, AL

SWPANSAR team members including Nancy Locke, Jen Morgan, K9 Sirius, Laurie Strite, and K9 Nova visited Shepherd's Place in Fairhope, AL.  Shepherd's Place is a supervised senior day care facility that allows caregivers and loved ones to run errands, take a break, or tend to other duties.  The visit was an excellent opportunity to expose the K9's to the elderly and for our team to introduce ourselves.  K9 Sirius and K9 Nova were more than willing to demonstrate their obedience and search skills while the audience was more than willing to share their love and pet the K9s!

 

                                                                                 

Charles "Carlos" Hard went missing on Sunday, August 2nd.    The details of the search can be found at:

      http://www.wkrg.com/crime/article/chefs-death-mysterious/235163/Aug-04-2009_6-18-pm/

 Carolyn Whitman donates time to make K9 cooling vests

Carolyn Whitman of Orange Beach, AL donated her time to make K9 cooling vests.  The vests hold ice packs which enable the K9's to work in the heat.  The K9 cooling vests become an absolute necessity when the temperature and humidity soar.  We will always appreciate Carolyn's hard work each time we suit up our K9's.

 SWPANSAR receives donation from CPO organization

 The US Navy Recruiting School is stationed at Pensacola Naval Air Station and the Chief Petty Officers who instruct at the school have an organization (NORU CPO PT) which raises funds for local charities.  At a dinner given by the Chiefs, Laurie can be seen thanking the organization for their very generous gift to SWPANSAR. 

SWPANSAR welcomes newest member 

SWPANSAR is proud to announce Cindy Sarver as its newest member.  Cindy has over 10 years experience in law enforcement and has experience with many organizations.   She will be a welcome addition as she heads up our research on the lost person behavior of Alzheimer patients and how the team can be more effective during searches for these patients.

Welcome aboard!

Fairhope Lions Club provides a warm welcome to SWPANSAR

SWPANSAR had the wonderful opportunity to speak at the Fairhope Lion's Club meeting about the use of K-9's in Search and Rescue and about Emotional First Aid during a search.  Nancy Locke and Jen Morgan were thrilled to meet the members and answer many questions about our team, our K9's and about emotional first aid.

SWPANSAR participates in Earth Day at Fairhope Pier

Earth Day was a chance for the community to come out and meet our team!  The K9's performed two demos and greeted everyone at our booth.

Escambia County Sheriff's Office still searching for missing man

  SWPANSAR aids in search for missing man.  

     NEWS ALERT:  http://www.northescambia.com/?p=7624  

SWPANSAR welcomes newest member

Shelby Burton is our new Junior Cadet member.  Shelby is a big help at team practices, meetings and fund raisers.

Welcome aboard!