Search and Rescue News (SAR)
Started by
Kelly
, Nov 30 2007 04:26 PM
3 replies to this topic
#1
Kelly
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President and Founder
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Posted 30 November 2007 - 04:26 PM
This thread will serve as a news repository about Search and Rescue (SAR) units and related information.
Kelly Murphy, Mother of Missing Jason Jolkowski
President and Founder,
Project Jason
www.projectjason.org
Please help us in our mission as a 501 c 3 nonprofit: http://projectjason....y-campaign.html
If you have seen any of our missing persons, please call the law enforcement agency listed on the post. All missing persons are loved by someone, and their families deserve to find the answers they seek in regards to the disappearance.
#2
Linda
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Posted 24 June 2008 - 10:45 AM
http://www.chicagotr...0,5424806.story
Software helped guide search for missing autistic man
Associated Press
June 24, 2008
DULUTH, Minn. - Computer software written by a member of the St. Louis County Sheriff's Rescue Squad played an important role in helping searchers find an autistic man who wandered off from a camp for developmentally disabled adults.
Lt. Rick Slatten's program, called Search Tracker, used the laws of probability to guide searchers who found Keith Kennedy late Sunday about a mile from the Trade Lake Camp in Grantsburg, Wis. He had been missing for seven days.
Kennedy was recovering Tuesday at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview, in Minneapolis. A spokeswoman said he was in critical but stable condition.
Search Tracker breaks a search area into smaller units, analyzes terrain, vegetation cover, what searchers have done and recommends which units need to be searched more.
"It really helped because all the indicators were pointing to the general area where he was eventually found," Burnett County (Wis.) Sheriff Dean Roland said. "It's like a compass -- you have to trust that compass, you have to trust what this program is telling you. When the mathematical numbers say that's the best place to go, you go."
When the St. Louis County Sheriff's Rescue Squad helped with the search last Thursday and Friday, Slatten brought Search Tracker with him. The rescue squad has used Search Tracker for about three years.
Slatten begin tinkering with the program after 5-year-old LeeAnna Warner went missing in Chisholm in 2003. His efforts became more focused after he attended search training in Virginia several months later.
"The national school really gave me the knowledge I needed to run with it," he said.
The school gave students software used to train searchers.
"There were two things wrong with (that software)," Slatten said. "One, it crashed all the time. And two, it was never designed to run a search; it was designed to train you how to run a search. It tried to outthink you."
Slatten said it was also missing some important features -- like the forest types found in northeastern Minnesota.
"This software has really worked well for us," Rescue Squad Capt. Tom Crossmon said. "It was instrumental in this case. The program just screamed for us to get in and search the area were Keith was found. So we put canine resources in there, which give us better indications where to search."
A St. Paul firefighter found Kennedy next to a creek bed on swampy ground Sunday evening. Searchers had passed by the area at least twice, but dense brush hampered the search.
"That general area was searched a lot, because that was what the probability was saying," Roland said.
Slatten is happy, but not surprised, that Search Tracker helped find Kennedy.
"It uses search theory principles that have been proven," he said. "History is full of examples where these techniques have been used to find the unfindable."
Search Tracker has been through several revisions as Slatten continues to improve it. He and his wife are now working to make it more user-friendly.
"If it ever gets to where I'm comfortable sharing it with the world I'll put it on the Internet for free," Slatten said. "I don't want to make any money at it -- I would be happy if folks search correctly."
Software helped guide search for missing autistic man
Associated Press
June 24, 2008
DULUTH, Minn. - Computer software written by a member of the St. Louis County Sheriff's Rescue Squad played an important role in helping searchers find an autistic man who wandered off from a camp for developmentally disabled adults.
Lt. Rick Slatten's program, called Search Tracker, used the laws of probability to guide searchers who found Keith Kennedy late Sunday about a mile from the Trade Lake Camp in Grantsburg, Wis. He had been missing for seven days.
Kennedy was recovering Tuesday at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview, in Minneapolis. A spokeswoman said he was in critical but stable condition.
Search Tracker breaks a search area into smaller units, analyzes terrain, vegetation cover, what searchers have done and recommends which units need to be searched more.
"It really helped because all the indicators were pointing to the general area where he was eventually found," Burnett County (Wis.) Sheriff Dean Roland said. "It's like a compass -- you have to trust that compass, you have to trust what this program is telling you. When the mathematical numbers say that's the best place to go, you go."
When the St. Louis County Sheriff's Rescue Squad helped with the search last Thursday and Friday, Slatten brought Search Tracker with him. The rescue squad has used Search Tracker for about three years.
Slatten begin tinkering with the program after 5-year-old LeeAnna Warner went missing in Chisholm in 2003. His efforts became more focused after he attended search training in Virginia several months later.
"The national school really gave me the knowledge I needed to run with it," he said.
The school gave students software used to train searchers.
"There were two things wrong with (that software)," Slatten said. "One, it crashed all the time. And two, it was never designed to run a search; it was designed to train you how to run a search. It tried to outthink you."
Slatten said it was also missing some important features -- like the forest types found in northeastern Minnesota.
"This software has really worked well for us," Rescue Squad Capt. Tom Crossmon said. "It was instrumental in this case. The program just screamed for us to get in and search the area were Keith was found. So we put canine resources in there, which give us better indications where to search."
A St. Paul firefighter found Kennedy next to a creek bed on swampy ground Sunday evening. Searchers had passed by the area at least twice, but dense brush hampered the search.
"That general area was searched a lot, because that was what the probability was saying," Roland said.
Slatten is happy, but not surprised, that Search Tracker helped find Kennedy.
"It uses search theory principles that have been proven," he said. "History is full of examples where these techniques have been used to find the unfindable."
Search Tracker has been through several revisions as Slatten continues to improve it. He and his wife are now working to make it more user-friendly.
"If it ever gets to where I'm comfortable sharing it with the world I'll put it on the Internet for free," Slatten said. "I don't want to make any money at it -- I would be happy if folks search correctly."
#3
Kathylene
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Posted 20 April 2009 - 08:40 AM
http://www.examiner....ch--rescue-dogs
14th anniversary of horror - a look at search & rescue dogs
April 19, 6:42 AM
.JPG)
Harley on the day he passed his "mission-ready" test.
Left to right are Susan Andes, Hasty's handler Karen Padgett, Anthony Hudgins, Allen Padgett and David Gregor
It's been 14 years. Fourteen years since horror spattered a normal, quiet morning, and changed lives forever.
Fourteen years ago today, the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City was destroyed by an explosion designed to kill as many people as possible. America was horrified to learn that it was not some invader from another shore, but home-grown terrorists who had carried out the plot and killed 168 people, 19 of them small children who were in the building's day care center.
It was days before the body count was complete, because of the utter destruction of the building. And during those days, Americans gained a new awareness of and admiration for a group of volunteers: the search and rescue dog teams.
So, on this 14th anniversary, let's look at Georgia's search and rescue volunteers, to learn about who they are, how they train, and why they are called to work in difficult conditions.
Georgia SARDOG is a group of unpaid volunteers who train year-round to give assistance when it's needed. This group does mostly lost-person searches using their dogs to methodically search an area. If the dogs find a scent, then the area is searched until the person is found. If they don't, the conclusion is that the person isn't there. These teams are so highly-trained that, night or day, good weather or bad, they will either find the lost person or clear that search area and start working another. A typical search area for each human/canine team is 160 acres, and it takes an average of 4 hours for each team to work their designated quadrant. The best breeds for SAR work are the shepherding and retrieving breeds, which usually have the physical and mental ability to handle the task.
The human part of the team must have wilderness survival skills, training for 4 to 8 hours at a time in all conditions and terrains. They must also demonstrate first-aid skills, in order to deal with any injuries the missing person may have. They must be able to orient themselves with map and compass, document exactly where they are for radio contact during searches, and multi-task like a fighter pilot. While doing all of this, they are also watching and working with the canine half of the team, looking for signals that the dog has found something.
The dogs undergo about two years of training before they are ready to even test their skills for mission readiness. They must learn to use their noses to find humans, and this is taught by increasingly tough games of hide and seek. Training sessions are from 15 minutes to hours long, three to four times a week. After about two years of training, the dogs are ready to take their "mission-ready" test. Pass it and they can work real searches. Fail, and it's back to the training routine until they're ready to try again.
Allen Padgett, chairman of Georgia SARDOG, started training and working with search dogs as part of his wildlife ranger job, as he was often called upon to find lost hikers. Now working with his third dog, Hasty, Allen says the most gratifying part of search and rescue is seeing their motto play out in real life by finding a lost person. That motto? "We do this so that others might live." Georgia SARDOG isn't accepting applications for training new teams at this time, as their time is consumed with the training of current teams and actual rescue work.
So today, when you remember the horror that happened on this day 14 years ago, remember the tireless work of the search and rescue dog teams. Now you know a little bit more about why they were so good, and also why they worked so tirelessly - so that others might live.
14th anniversary of horror - a look at search & rescue dogs
April 19, 6:42 AM
Harley on the day he passed his "mission-ready" test.
Left to right are Susan Andes, Hasty's handler Karen Padgett, Anthony Hudgins, Allen Padgett and David Gregor
It's been 14 years. Fourteen years since horror spattered a normal, quiet morning, and changed lives forever.
Fourteen years ago today, the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City was destroyed by an explosion designed to kill as many people as possible. America was horrified to learn that it was not some invader from another shore, but home-grown terrorists who had carried out the plot and killed 168 people, 19 of them small children who were in the building's day care center.
It was days before the body count was complete, because of the utter destruction of the building. And during those days, Americans gained a new awareness of and admiration for a group of volunteers: the search and rescue dog teams.
So, on this 14th anniversary, let's look at Georgia's search and rescue volunteers, to learn about who they are, how they train, and why they are called to work in difficult conditions.
Georgia SARDOG is a group of unpaid volunteers who train year-round to give assistance when it's needed. This group does mostly lost-person searches using their dogs to methodically search an area. If the dogs find a scent, then the area is searched until the person is found. If they don't, the conclusion is that the person isn't there. These teams are so highly-trained that, night or day, good weather or bad, they will either find the lost person or clear that search area and start working another. A typical search area for each human/canine team is 160 acres, and it takes an average of 4 hours for each team to work their designated quadrant. The best breeds for SAR work are the shepherding and retrieving breeds, which usually have the physical and mental ability to handle the task.
The human part of the team must have wilderness survival skills, training for 4 to 8 hours at a time in all conditions and terrains. They must also demonstrate first-aid skills, in order to deal with any injuries the missing person may have. They must be able to orient themselves with map and compass, document exactly where they are for radio contact during searches, and multi-task like a fighter pilot. While doing all of this, they are also watching and working with the canine half of the team, looking for signals that the dog has found something.
The dogs undergo about two years of training before they are ready to even test their skills for mission readiness. They must learn to use their noses to find humans, and this is taught by increasingly tough games of hide and seek. Training sessions are from 15 minutes to hours long, three to four times a week. After about two years of training, the dogs are ready to take their "mission-ready" test. Pass it and they can work real searches. Fail, and it's back to the training routine until they're ready to try again.
Allen Padgett, chairman of Georgia SARDOG, started training and working with search dogs as part of his wildlife ranger job, as he was often called upon to find lost hikers. Now working with his third dog, Hasty, Allen says the most gratifying part of search and rescue is seeing their motto play out in real life by finding a lost person. That motto? "We do this so that others might live." Georgia SARDOG isn't accepting applications for training new teams at this time, as their time is consumed with the training of current teams and actual rescue work.
So today, when you remember the horror that happened on this day 14 years ago, remember the tireless work of the search and rescue dog teams. Now you know a little bit more about why they were so good, and also why they worked so tirelessly - so that others might live.
#4
Kathylene
Kathylene
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- Guests
Posted 04 June 2009 - 04:52 AM
http://www.oneidadis...3e199351339.txt
Radio-emitting bracelets help find missing people
Published: Wednesday, June 3, 2009
By KENDRA K. SPENARD
Dispatch Intern
WAMPSVILLE — A long-time concern of local caregivers is that their loved ones might wander off or go missing. People prone to wandering may have disorders like Alzheimer’s, autism, dementia or stroke.
Because of this, Madison County has acquired technology designed to protect such vulnerable citizens.
Sheriff Ronald I. Cary recently announced Project Lifesaver, a search and rescue, rapid recovery service for people who have the tendency to wander due to a disability.
Cary says that his department started making efforts to adopt the program after Oneida and Onondaga counties each launched the project in 2006. “We had a lot of locals calling and asking about the program after both neighboring counties introduced it,†says Cary.
He said his department started developing a budget that year to include the program, which cost $3,000 to adopt.
The county website explains how the program works, provides an online application, and gives specifics on enrollment, as well as costs and maintenance of the hardware. A newly enrolled client is visited by a certified instructor at the clients home so they can equip the new program participant with their personalized wristband transmitter.
Each wristband emits its own unique radio frequency, which can be tracked at any time to help locate and return any missing participants to their home. When a client leaves their pre-designated area, in most cases their home, an alert is sent to that transmitters receiver.
There are two receivers in Madison County. One is located at the Public Safety Office in Wampsville. The other is at the Morrisville Field Office. These receivers have the capability to be mounted in a patrol car for wide searches, but also can be used as a hand-held device in more narrow foot searches. According to the sheriff’s office Onondaga County has an aviation unit helicopter with a built-in receiver that can offer aerial support if necessary.
In Madison County five members of the sheriff’s office received special training and certification to properly respond to any alerts. These five were trained by instructors from Onondaga’s County Sheriff’s Office and have the knowledge necessary for the operation of the search and rescue radio equipment.
Project Lifesaver operators are also required to participate in additional training for the retrieval of all wandering persons. According to the sheriff’s office, wanderers are often anxious, untrusting and disoriented. Trained members must be able to approach, communicate with and gain the trust of the afflicted person. These capabilities are important in preparing the wanderer for their trip home.
“Up until this point it took a lot of resources to find a missing person,†says Cary. In the event of a missing persons case the sheriff’s office contacts the Fire Department, Search and Rescue and the other appropriate offices. The county office states that their highest priority is to ensure a speedy and safe recovery of all missing persons.
Before Project Lifesaver it could take hours or even days to find a missing person. Now recovery time can be measured in minutes. The nation average recovery time for clients enrolled in this program is about 30 minutes. Cary stresss how important this kind of quick response is, especially in the winter or other poor conditions.
Cary wants to remind caregivers that this program is not an incentive to pay less attention to enrolled persons. “It’s meant to be a good service that we hope will provide peace of mind for the community,†says Cary.
Clients pay a $99 start-up fee for the wristband transmitter. Every proceeding month there is a $30 continuation fee. “Kelly Seale, the community service aide, and the rest of our staff will work with anyone who is interested in this project and will try to facilitate their financial needs as best we can,†says Cary.
For more information on the Lifesaver Project call the Madison County Sheriff’s Office at (315) 366-2318 or visit:
www.madisoncountysheriff.us
Radio-emitting bracelets help find missing people
Published: Wednesday, June 3, 2009
By KENDRA K. SPENARD
Dispatch Intern
WAMPSVILLE — A long-time concern of local caregivers is that their loved ones might wander off or go missing. People prone to wandering may have disorders like Alzheimer’s, autism, dementia or stroke.
Because of this, Madison County has acquired technology designed to protect such vulnerable citizens.
Sheriff Ronald I. Cary recently announced Project Lifesaver, a search and rescue, rapid recovery service for people who have the tendency to wander due to a disability.
Cary says that his department started making efforts to adopt the program after Oneida and Onondaga counties each launched the project in 2006. “We had a lot of locals calling and asking about the program after both neighboring counties introduced it,†says Cary.
He said his department started developing a budget that year to include the program, which cost $3,000 to adopt.
The county website explains how the program works, provides an online application, and gives specifics on enrollment, as well as costs and maintenance of the hardware. A newly enrolled client is visited by a certified instructor at the clients home so they can equip the new program participant with their personalized wristband transmitter.
Each wristband emits its own unique radio frequency, which can be tracked at any time to help locate and return any missing participants to their home. When a client leaves their pre-designated area, in most cases their home, an alert is sent to that transmitters receiver.
There are two receivers in Madison County. One is located at the Public Safety Office in Wampsville. The other is at the Morrisville Field Office. These receivers have the capability to be mounted in a patrol car for wide searches, but also can be used as a hand-held device in more narrow foot searches. According to the sheriff’s office Onondaga County has an aviation unit helicopter with a built-in receiver that can offer aerial support if necessary.
In Madison County five members of the sheriff’s office received special training and certification to properly respond to any alerts. These five were trained by instructors from Onondaga’s County Sheriff’s Office and have the knowledge necessary for the operation of the search and rescue radio equipment.
Project Lifesaver operators are also required to participate in additional training for the retrieval of all wandering persons. According to the sheriff’s office, wanderers are often anxious, untrusting and disoriented. Trained members must be able to approach, communicate with and gain the trust of the afflicted person. These capabilities are important in preparing the wanderer for their trip home.
“Up until this point it took a lot of resources to find a missing person,†says Cary. In the event of a missing persons case the sheriff’s office contacts the Fire Department, Search and Rescue and the other appropriate offices. The county office states that their highest priority is to ensure a speedy and safe recovery of all missing persons.
Before Project Lifesaver it could take hours or even days to find a missing person. Now recovery time can be measured in minutes. The nation average recovery time for clients enrolled in this program is about 30 minutes. Cary stresss how important this kind of quick response is, especially in the winter or other poor conditions.
Cary wants to remind caregivers that this program is not an incentive to pay less attention to enrolled persons. “It’s meant to be a good service that we hope will provide peace of mind for the community,†says Cary.
Clients pay a $99 start-up fee for the wristband transmitter. Every proceeding month there is a $30 continuation fee. “Kelly Seale, the community service aide, and the rest of our staff will work with anyone who is interested in this project and will try to facilitate their financial needs as best we can,†says Cary.
For more information on the Lifesaver Project call the Madison County Sheriff’s Office at (315) 366-2318 or visit:
www.madisoncountysheriff.us
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