News Alert: HAITI DISASTER RESPONSE

The National Search Dog Alliance supports the efforts being put forth by the many handlers and K-9s working in Haiti to locate individuals struggling to survive amid the destruction. Handlers responding to this catastrophe have worked tirelessly, training themselves and their K-9s, to provide the services they are now faced to give under these extreme conditions. It takes several years to have a functional handler and K-9 capable of locating live individuals in a disaster. The handlers do not solely work their K-9s; they also have awareness in structural collapse, confined space, and trench and excavation.

In the early stages of the disaster in Haiti, efforts will be placed in locating the live persons in the many damaged structures in the city. The K-9s from the United States and abroad will be working to locate these individuals so that they can be rescued from the rubble. It is the K-9's keen sense of smell that can make a difference in someone being located. These K-9s may never know the difference they are making in a persons life but they will know the joy they bring their handler as the team works in unison to get the job done.

As the efforts in Haiti turn toward removing the dead, the Human Remains Detection K-9s will step up to do their job. They will work tirelessly, searching for the missing. These K-9s also have years of training that allow them to serve in a disaster. Many of us remember the amazing work the Human Remains Detection K-9s did during Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Ike and Gustav. They went home by home checking each one, climbing over piles of furniture covered in mold. These special Human Remains Detection K-9s will once again dutifully complete their job.

Donations to the National Search Dog Alliance will provide additional training needed to assist handlers both here in the United States and abroad to improve their capabilities. It is through useful education and quality certifications that handlers will continue to be ready to respond to major disasters as well as the local search for a missing child.

National Search Dog Alliance

The NSDA Search and Rescue Dog group was formed in March 2007 with the intention of providing programs designed and developed by the dog handler, for the dog handler. NSDA believes that, only through communication, can programs be designed that meet the needs of the members. Communication allows for quick feedback and the ability to take needed actions.

From the start, this group has been committed to working with the premier dog handlers in the country to draw from their extensive experience. As Policy and Procedures, Standards and Programs have been developed, insight and input has been obtained from these handlers in an effort to provide the best canine product for NSDA members and the canine community as a whole.

NSDA believes that quality standards reflect well on an organization as well as those who are certified by them. Since it is recognized that NIMS will play a major roll in the future of search and rescue, NSDA standards will meet or exceed NIMS as IMS Guidelines become known.

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News Alert: HAITI DISASTER RESPONSE

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