
Dave is currently a Lieutenant Colonel in the USAFR and works for HQ – Air Combat Command at the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center where he serves as a Search and Rescue Controller/Instructor and a Watch Supervisor. While on duty in this position, Dave holds the # 1 Federal SAR job - since 1999, he has been involved in over 2,000 SAR missions, during which 124 lives were saved. In 2007, Dave was named one of 10 National Nurse Heroes through Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society in Nursing.
Dave works full-time as the Fire Chief for Soldier Township Fire Department. This department has 39 full- and part-time personnel and provides fire, water rescue, and first responder medical services for 63 square miles in Shawnee County. He also works part-time at Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center as a Trauma Nurse Specialist in the ER. Dave holds a Bachelor of Education Degree, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, is a nationally certified emergency nurse (CEN), and a nationally certified legal nurse consultant (CLNC). He is also a Private Safety Consultant for business and industry; Search and Rescue Technician I (SARTECH I); SARTECH Coordinator; former 5-year member of the Board of Directors of the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR); member of the Peer review committee for National K-9 SAR Tech Program; Region 7 Representative for the NASAR K-9 section; Education Coordinator for K-9 Section (NASAR); author of the National Disaster K-9 Standards for NASAR, Advanced Search and Rescue class (ADSAR), SAR Incident Command, Advanced SAR Management, National SAR School Inland SAR Course, Kevin George Seminar; Presenter for the Hug-a-Tree and Survive program; Dive Rescue Specialist I (International Association of Dive Rescue Specialists); Kansas Certified Emergency Medical Technician Intermediate with AED and Intubation endorsements; and Fire-Medic KUFST, Instructor I, Fire Officer I, Hazardous Materials-Operations Level, High Angle Rescue, Arson Detection and Determination.
Completed FEMA Courses include ARNORTH Defense Support for Civil Authorities (DSCA) Phase I training; ICS 100, 200, 700, 800 Incident Command System; ICS G300 Intermediate Incident Command System for Expanding Incidents; ICS 400 Advanced Incident Command System for Command and General Staff; IS-00244 Developing and Managing Volunteers; IS-00240 Leadership and Influence; IS-00241 Decision Making & Problem Solving; IS-00242 Effective Communication; IS-00809 Emergency Support Function (ESF) #9 Search and Rescue; IS-00801 Emergency Support Function (ESF) #1 Transportation; IS-00802 Emergency Support Function (ESF) #2 Communications; IS-00804 Emergency Support Function (ESF) #4 Firefighting; IS-00807 Emergency Support Function (ESF) #7 Logistics Management and Resource Support; IS-00808 Emergency Support Function (ESF) #8 Public Health and Medical Service; IS-00810 Emergency Support Function (ESF) #10 Oil and Hazardous Materials Response; IS-00812 Emergency Support Function (ESF) #12 Energy; IS-00813 Emergency Support Function (ESF) #13 Public Safety and Security; and IS-00250 Emergency Support Function (ESF) #15 External Affairs.
Dave and SAR K9 Thunder (1994-2000) were KSARDA's first K9 Team. Dave then teamed with K9 Jeremiah (1999-2007), before joining with current K9 Meeko.

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For More Information About KSARDA, Please Contact: info@ksarda.org |
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|
Vicki Walton,
Deputy
Director
Southern Region |
Annette
Gaston,
Director
|
Russell Pugh,
Deputy
Director
Northern Region |
| E-Mail: vrwalton@gmail.com | E-Mail: bngsar@earthlink.net | E-Mail: rpughfarm@yahoo.com |
|
Home:
316-788-2054 |
Home:
913-592-2985 |
Home: 785-986-6715 |
| Cell: 316-210-9520 | Cell: 913-484-9291 | Cell: 785-408-9889 |
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