Well that was a hectic, but incredible few days:
Monday:
I had already had the pleasure to meet with 2 members of Vigo
County Search and rescue team
Robin and Rick are two of the nicest people and had arranged
for us to go to a big cat rescue centre
This is like some rescue centres but that’s where it
ends, a guided tour revealed the stories
behind some of the residents. Strange enough its legal to breed big cats here
that means Lions and Tigers, some of the cats were bought at auction for $25
!!!!, which seemed bizarre to not just me but everyone.
Disturbingly there were also a number of tigers that were
recovered from a crack house along with and elephant…I imagine the briefing for
that raid going something like;
Q:“Any animals, dogs etc?”
A:“Em,.no……next question”
The rescue centre itself is an incredible place to visit the
stories of all of the animals’ are a great insight to the dedication of the
centre and the volunteers who work there.
It was an unforgettable place to visit.
I am really grateful for the chance to see this unique location
Then lunch at a great award winning BBQ house, and off to
training at the training facility they are lucky enough to have access to
Here I met the ham radio operators who work with the team
and provide a superb resource to them, but not only with radios but are foot
searchers as well. I met the local EMC whose knowledge and enthusiasm is very
evident.
The team has a great breadth of experience and has both
tracking/trailing and hrd dogs
The team also gave me 2 t shirts for my little girls which are
great, and they will proudly wear them.
Tuesday:
DHS, 10am a demo by the staff at Camp Atterbury to State
police Chiefs, and top Army officers , they were all suitably impressed not
only with the dogs but facilities and staff , this is important for them hers
as it raises profile and potential funding opportunities.
The off to Midwest Search and Rescue, who I had already met
with but this was pre-arranged before that. It was great see them again, they
are a relatively young and enthusiastic team.
http://www.midwestsearchdogs.org/
They have trailing/Air scenting, and HRD dogs all of which
did a very good scenario based exercise, which utilised not only dogs but
search tactics as well.
They had arranged for a local TV company Wish 8 to come and
do a piece about them and the work they do and mainly to see the dogs, I did a
brief interview and was happy in any way I could to promote them as a voluntary
organisation who, like all the counterparts worldwide provide a service to
their communities.
Its wasn't just me they interviewed and the reported did run behind a few of the dogs and hide for them as well, it makes good TV and good publicity for the Midwest Team
It is unfortunate that Search and Rescue groups do not get
the recognition they deserve, this is not just a UK or USA issue, many people
assume when they see them that they are paid by police, and as we know they are
not
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