History and Mission

History

Since the late 1960’s, search dogs have proven to be consistently useful in locating victims trapped beneath debris, mud and water. Their acute scenting ability allows a trained dog to detect and alert on human scent traveling through crevices and voids, as well as at the surface of water and mud. In 1992, experienced search dog trainers from several volunteer units around the Northwest formed Northwest Disaster Search Dogs (NDSD), a non-profit, 501(c)3, all-volunteer specialty unit focused on urban search and rescue.

NDSD’s Mission

  • To provide trained dogs, handlers and support personnel for the search and rescue of live persons trapped due to man-made or natural disasters
  • To provide trained dogs, handlers and support personnel for the search and recovery of deceased persons lost, trapped or drowned
  • To provide our services to government agencies on a 24-hour basis at no cost, as a benefit to the public
  • To provide training and education for its dogs and personnel to develop and improve those capabilities that will ensure competent and capable search teams and operations

   

SEARCH CALL-OUT

Northwest Disaster Search Dogs performs searches only under the call-out and direction of emergency or law enforcement service agencies. If you are a representative of such an agency and are interested in NDSD’s services, please contact Pierce County Department of Emergency Management at 253-798-7470 for call-out information.