Search Teams

Our Search Teams

Baja California Task Force 3 (BC-TF3)

California Regional Task Force 7 (CA-RTF7) Ventura County

California Task Force 1 (CA-TF1) Los Angeles City

California Task Force 2 (CA-TF2) Los Angeles County

California Task Force 3 (CA-TF3) Bay Area

California Task Force 4 (CA-TF4) Oakland

California Task Force 5 (CA-TF5) Orange County

California Task Force 7 (CA-TF7) Sacramento

California Task Force 8 (CA-TF8) San Diego

Nebraska Task Force 1 (NE-TF1)

New York Task Force 2 (NY-TF2)

Oklahoma Task Force 1 (OK-TF1)

Utah Task Force 1 (UT-TF1)

Virginia Task Force 1 (VA-TF1)

Virginia Task Force 2 (VA-TF2)

Koa & Damon Wirth

Koa & Damon Wirth

Team Info

 

Task Force: Nebraska Task Force 1 (NE-TF1)
Agency: Lincoln Fire Rescue

Level: Certified

 

Search Dog Info

 

Breed: Yellow Labrador
Sex: Male
Born: July 22, 2017

Recruited from a private donor in Pleasant Grove, UT
Recruited by Trevor Lawrence

Sponsor: The Joel and Dena Gambord Family

 

 

Koa was originally adopted as a puppy to be a household pet in Utah. Soon after bringing him home, however, his owner realized that this lovable, enthusiastic, energetic Lab needed more attention than she could dedicate to him. She listed Koa in the local newspaper, thinking he deserved the best home possible, and SDF Recruiter Trevor Lawrence answered the ad, knowing this smart boy could use a special job!

 

Trevor conducted an initial evaluation of Koa, adopted him for SDF and transported him to our National Training Center in Santa Paula, CA. For just over six months, Koa worked and trained to become a live find search dog. He caught on quickly, and trainers enjoyed working with the happy Labrador.

 

Koa was partnered with Lincoln Fire-Rescue and Nebraska Task Force 1 canine handler Damon Wirth on September 27, 2019. Damon’s veteran Search Dog George was nearly ready for retirement after a nine-year career with three FEMA certifications, so it was time to add to his pack. Damon told us he found that his new partner had reignited his own passion for the search—he could hear the anticipation and thrill in Koa’s bark, excited to get to work before he even gets out of his crate!

 

Koa returned home to Nebraska with Damon to meet his family and prepare for FEMA certification, which they achieved in November of 2020.

 

Koa has deployed to the following missions with NE-TF1:

 

  • May 20, 2021 – Missing Person – Papillion, NE
  • September 19, 2022 – Hurricane Fiona – San Juan, Puerto Rico
  • April 26, 2024 – Tornado – Lincoln, NE