K9 SEARCH AND RESCUE (NI)
At K9 Search and Rescue (NI) we're a professional all-volunteer canine Search and Rescue team. We specialize in providing certified area search (live victim) and Victim Recovery canines for coastal, urban, rural and disaster response in Northern Ireland.
Our members are highly trained searchers “first” and will deploy on evidence, recovery, and search missions when the specialized skills of our canine teams are required. We will collaborate with search teams in NI to provide search and rescue assistance.
K9 SEARCH AND RESCUE (NI) OUR MISSION
Our mission is to provide and promote Search and Rescue canines and handlers as a resource to UK Coastguard, Police, and the community in the event of an emergency and to advocate public safety.
Our dog teams are trained in air-scent (locating any human in a specific area) live-find and Victim Recovery (body recovery). All handlers are volunteers who provide their own dogs and train several times a month. They pay all related expenses for feeding, veterinary care, travel, and purchase of needed equipment.
Each team is required to pass a national certification (NASDU) prior to participating in search missions.
Our goal is to provide air-scent search dog teams and Search and Rescue Technicians for effective and efficient search deployment in support UK Coastguard and the community for search and rescue operations which include, but not limited to, the following areas:
Missing person search: both coastal and urban settings
Alzheimer/dementia patient who has wandered away
A missing or lost child
An overdue hiker
A despondent person
A lost child with Autism
Locating live victim(s) after a man-made or natural disaster
· We will also respond to suicidal person on piers or bridges in order to use the canine for emotional support
Our primary objectives are to:
Develop and train a professional team of canine handlers
Develop search dog teams who meet and exceed local and national certification standards
Develop and present training programs in canine search and rescue
Train all handers and field personnel to be proficient searchers for both coastal and urban settings
All personnel will be first aid trained to minimum Rec 3
Minimum Rescue 3 Swiftwater and Flood First Responder.
Complete ASIST course within first year of membership
NATIONAL DISASTER SEARCH DOG FOUNDATION
California USA
Six K9 Search and Rescue NI Dog Handlers and Technicians travelled to the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation in California, USA for 12 days undertaking Urban Search and Rescue training.
The trip was based on the premise that making a real difference is not only possible but vital. At K9 Search and Rescue NI, volunteering is a source of great pride for our Non-Profit Organisation.
We have the potential to make real and positive change. This is one of our key areas of focus here at K9 Search and Rescue NI, and a source of much success for our Non-Profit Organisation.
MALTA DEPLOYMENT
We deployed to Malta for 7 days to join teams from the European Association of Civil Protection Volunteer Teams (EVOLSAR), to take part in Search and Rescue workshops, finishing with a large scale disaster exercise. It was fantastic to join other teams with the same goals as K9 Search and Rescue NI.
RECEIVING A BRIEF AT THE START OF THE EXERCISE
MALTA EMERGENCY FIRE & RESCUE UNITS K9 GOING TO WORK
A CASUALTY BEING STRETCHERED TO SAFETY AFTER BEING LOCATED
K9 Search and Rescue NI look forward to strengthening our relationship with EVOLSAR with Search and Rescue workshops and exercises in 2023.
Training at the UK Fire and Rescue Urban Search and Rescue Training Centre
We spent three days at one of the leading USAR training sites in the UK, with experienced URSAR firefighters and URSAR instructors, learning the dangers of searching collapsed buildings and best practices.
LIFE SAVED BY MAX
Max's first find
On the night of 30th October, we were request to assist in the search for a vulnerable missing lady in Bangor Co. Down. The lady had ben missing for 40 hours, Police, family and the public had been searching with no trace of her. At 2230 the phone call came to us, we departed at 2240 and started our search at 2250. Max located the missing lady just before 2300, in an area that had been searched at least twice previous. The missing lady required first aid which was provided by handler before assistance arrived from UK Coastguard, Police and Ambulance. Pictured is the missing ladies husband and granddaughter meeting Max.
SUPPORT US
You Can Make a Difference
Our strength is amplified with collective action, and you can help make a difference with K9 Search and Rescue (NI) right now! The support we receive is a huge driver of the good work we do in addressing some of society’s most challenging problems. Get in touch today and join our community in making a lasting impact.
The dog is neither tool nor toy, you are partners giving each other advice. Each brings something to the work that the other doesn't have and cannot do alone
John Jenneney
CONTACT K9 SEARCH AND RESCUE (NI)
