Two SDF-trained Teams Search After Building Explosion in Tijuana

  On October 20, 2023, SDF-trained search teams Luis Garcia & Montecito and Fidel Gomez & Gemma responded to a building explosion in the Cumbres neighborhood of Tijuana, Mexico. The damage was significant and two people were believed to be inside when the explosion occurred. We’re thankful that Luis & …

SDF-trained Team Respond to Building Explosion in Central California

  On August 23, 2023, SDF-trained search team Eric Gray & Dee (Santa Barbara County Fire) responded to a building explosion in the Hancock Village condominium complex in Santa Maria, CA. The powerful blast completely destroyed one residence and critically injured the person inside, who remains hospitalized. Three other people …

Canine teams deploy to Southeastern United States ahead of Hurricane Idalia

  On August 28, 2023, two SDF-trained canine disaster search teams, Kristi Bartlett & Ivan from Virginia Task Force 1 (VA-TF1) and Chris Cook & Ridge from Virginia Task Force 2 (VA-TF2) deployed to the northern Florida area along with their teammates ahead of Hurricane Idalia. Having rapidly strengthened from …

SDF-trained canine teams join disaster response in wake of Maui wildfires

  On August 13, 2023, two SDF-trained human remains detection (HRD) search teams, Nick Bartel & Six and Ed Ruiz & Harper from California Task Force 2 (CA-TF2) traveled to Maui along with their teammates, Celine Serrano & Prentiss to assist in the aftermath of wildfires that devastated the region …

Seven SDF-trained search dog teams join rescuers from around the world to assist after deadly earthquake in Türkiye

  Early on Monday morning, February 6, a massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked Türkiye, Syria, and the surrounding region, destroying buildings and leaving a swath of devastation stretching hundreds of miles. One of the strongest quakes ever to hit the region, it produced aftershocks nearly as strong as the initial …

Three SDF-trained search dog teams respond to Florida in aftermath of Hurricane Ian

  Hurricane Ian made its way past Cuba, through central Florida, and up the East Coast of the United States over a period of nearly one week. Growing from a tropical storm into a deadly Category 4 hurricane as it made landfall on the western Florida coastline, Ian crept slowly …

Two SDF canine teams search collapsed building after Tijuana landslide

Baja California Task Force 3 (BC-TF3) members Fidel Gomez & Gemma and Luis Garcia & Montecito responded to a landslide in the Sanchez Taboada area of Tijuana. The canine teams were dispatched within ten minutes of the 911 call when it was reported that the landslide had collapsed a building …

SDF search team deploys after commercial building fire in Ventura County

Our very own SDF staff member, Mandy Tisdale, deployed with her search dog, Paul, to an abandoned commercial building fire in Oxnard on July 15, 2022. Upon arriving on the scene, firefighters rescued a homeless man from the roof of the building. Unsure if additional people had been inside when …

Five SDF-trained search teams deploy to assist in aftermath of Hurricane Ida

Five SDF-trained search teams deployed, along with at least 18 state and federal task forces from across the country, to assist in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Ida, which made landfall on August 29, 2021, as a deadly Category 4 hurricane. Devastating damage and ongoing flooding have left many communities …