The Kansas Search and Rescue Dog Association (KSARDA) first brought Search and Rescue to the state of Kansas in 1992 and continues to be the largest volunteer Search and Rescue (SAR) group in Kansas. Since becoming operational in 1994, KSARDA volunteers have responded to over 140 callouts in over 40 counties and have also responded to searches in Oklahoma, Iowa, Missouri, and Nebraska. Throughout KSARDA's years, the team has assisted in saving 21 lives, including 10 children. Some of our more notable searches are the May 2011 Joplin Tornado (disaster teams affiliated with KC Metro USAR), May 2011 tornado-related search in Oklahoma, the June 2008 Chapman Tornado, the May 2007 Greensburg Tornado, and the 2003 Labor Day Weekend Turnpike Flood. We are a listed resource with the Kansas State Division of Emergency Management and can be called out through this agency or directly at the numbers listed on this website. Our team can provide trained K9 Handlers, Footsearchers, and Search Managers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Although KSARDA's primary mission is to search for missing people, we also participate in many educational, community, and civic events. Of particular importance are our visits with elementary school children, educating them on skills to prevent getting lost and on how to be found if they become lost. This is a vital outreach program that provides a sense of security and self-esteem, as well as a means to save children's lives. KSARDA is a 501(c)(3) public charity.

Southern Region: Solo-Vicki, Cheryl-Grace, Inga-Tracer, Sandi-RC, Lorrie-Skye, Phil, Zoey-Stacy-Gabe, Brad-Mojo, Mark-Lexi, Ronda-Hattie, Dale, Sherryl-Ruby, Jennifer-Jack, and Linda-Squirt Not Pictured: Mike-Gustav, Heather-Clover, and Kevin-Saavick

All services are provided FREE-OF-CHARGE to requesting Law Enforcement or other Emergency Agencies. Our team does not self-deploy for any reason, we only respond at the request of (or with permission from) the agency-in-charge.

KSARDA was founded by Dave Meek and his K9 "Thunder" in 1992. We became operational with 5 wilderness trained teams in October 1994. Currently we have 13 operational K9 teams, along with over 30 Operational Foot Searchers ready to respond throughout the State of Kansas. KSARDA can provide K9s trained in Wilderness Search, Water Search, Cadaver Search, and Disaster (Collapsed Structure) Search.

KSARDA is an organizational member of the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR). Founder Dave is a Lead Evaluator for SARTECH Coordinators for NASAR and has completed the new Advanced Search and Rescue (ADSAR) course. Dave is also nationally rated as SARTECH I. KSARDA requires its members to attain the national SARTECH II credential as an operational requirement. In addition, all team members are required to pass FEMA IS-100 An Introduction to the Incident Command System and FEMA IS-700 An Introduction to National Incident Management System (NIMS) courses.

Our K9s specialize in air-scenting but water, disaster, and human remains detection, as well as trailing/scent discrimination, are also taught to many teams. All of our members agree to submit background checks and are trained in evidence handling and in Crime Scene Preservation through local law enforcement agencies.

We also provide self-contained medical support on scene. Our team has published protocols, which can be obtained through NASAR. KSARDA's Operational Dog Teams and Operational Footsearchers Advanced Medical Certifications include: P.A., Paramedic, EMT, First Responder, RN, and Firefighter. In addition, all KSARDA members must be certified in CPR/First Aid as a minimum standard. KSARDA also has team members who have Critical Incident Stress Management training. Several KSARDA members are Search Management trained. All members have training in these other areas as well: Scent Theory, Incident Command System, Radio Communications, Storm Spotters, Clue Identification, Compass Reading, and Lost Person Behavior. Many KSARDA members are also members of their local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

Our team has its own communications capabilities via 20 handheld radios and 3 Mobile radios on searches.

Annette Gaston and K9 Greta from the Northern Region

Search for flood victims

Sandi Stelz and K-9 Sheena Head Out On The Boat

Our team has worked drownings, nursing home walk-aways, missing children cases, cadaver searches, and disasters. Some of KSARDA's recent searches include the DeBruce Grain Elevator explosion; the Wichita/Haysville and Oklahoma City tornados in 1999; tornados in Parsons, Hoisington and Kansas City, Ks; a missing Bipolar person in SW Missouri; a drowning at Cheney Lake; a drowning in Blue Springs, Nebraska; Emporia/Turnpike drownings in Aug/Sept 2003; and an exciting live find in NE Kansas, 5 days after the person went missing.

Photos From Past Call Outs

Ks Search & Rescue Dog Assoc - Contact Info

For More Information About KSARDA, Contact:
info@ksarda.org

Gary Swift, Deputy Director Southern Region	Heather Jones, Director	Russell Pugh, Deputy Director Northern Region
gws565@hotmail.com	h.jones85@yahoo.com	rpughfarm@yahoo.com
Cell: 316-871-4143	Cell: 816-377-0861	Cell: 785-408-9889

Ks Search & Rescue Dog Assoc - Page End Info Master

All Services Are Provided Free Of Charge
Call Out Number (for Emergency Agency Use Only):

913-73K-9SAR (913-735-9272)
Kansas (Statewide) - Mutual Aid
KSARDA is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Public Charity

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