Japan Earthquake 03-11-2011

International K9 Search and Rescue Services
International Office of Emergency Management
Disaster Response Division.
PO Box# 1472 Longview, Washington 98632
Office; 360-414-8093 Mobile: 503-705-0258
Email: searchdog@iinet.com Web: www.k9sardog.com

03-12-2011

As you can well imagine our International Office of Emergency Management Center has been swamped with emails, texts, and telephone calls regarding the 03-11-2011 8.5 earthquake in Japan.

Are we sending in resources? The answer is, “No, not yet”.

We've been in contact with the Japanese embassy officials, and NATO, and if they need our K9 Disaster search dog’s teams, SAR coordinators, and other resources, they will request us and then and only then will we mobilize and send in our USAR disaster response teams.

Like we've done over the last 25 years, we've offered our services.

If the Japanese government requests our assistance, then we'll try to raise the money to purchase air fares for the search dog teams that are responding, the cost of the shots, travel, and equipment that we'll be responding with.

This will be approximately $5000.00 per dog team. The government will not pay for our response. The airlines will not fly our teams in for free.

We must come up with this money on our own to pay for the airlines tickets, shots, equipment, etc. This is the way it’s always been for the last 25 years.

Since we are NOT a non-profit, but in fact a FOR PROFIT Professional K9 Search and Rescue team, the gifts sent to us are NOT tax deductible.

Do we charge for Search and Rescue during disasters? NO. We never have.

We take time off work (two weeks) and donate our own money and services to the victims of disasters.

We’ve assisted in numerous disasters around the world. Armenia, Northridge, SF, Ca. Philippines, Kobe, Japan, Oklahoma City Bombing, Hurricane Mitch in Honduras, both of the 1999 Turkey quakes, 2010 Haiti quake, and other disasters we’ve responded to directly or indirectly with coordination efforts, supplies and SAR dog teams. (Katrina, 9-11) etc.

There are times the resources become so overwhelmed that we’re only allowed to assist through sending in rescue equipment, medical supplies, food, water, etc. Other times we’ve been asked to physically respond and assist in the search and rescue and recovery efforts.

How can the public help the victims in the Japanese earthquake?
To avoid scams, contact your local Department of Justice and see which foreign aid teams will be responding to this disaster.

Don't send anyone any $ money or equipment unless you have confirmed with a team that they are in fact responding.

Before you donate or gift money or equipment.

Request to see a copy of their written permission to respond from the Japanese government.

Get a receipt for all monies gifted or donated to that team.

Media response. Our PIO (Public Information Officer) Mr. Harry Oakes will be updating this blog as well as our web site as we receive accurate information.
Our web site is www.k9sardog.com

Or click on the below listed URL http://www.k9sardog.com/index.htm

If you are a media person requesting an interview with Mr. Oakes our disaster SAR Coordinator re: this or other disaster information, preparation, people and pet rescues contact us.

Please send us an email at searchdog@iinet.com to make an appointment or call our office at 360-414-8093.

Only call our emergency # at 503-705-0258, if you need to contact our office right away.

We’re extremely busy assisting numerous agencies regarding the possibility of the Tsunami striking the west coast.

Rescuing people and pets, as well as livestock will be our first priority should the Tsunami be a large one that causes major devastation.

If you want to volunteer your time and efforts, contact the local chapter of the American Red Cross, or if the Tsunami causes damage here in the USA, the stricken areas that are hit and donate your time helping rescuing livestock and domesticated pets from the stricken areas.
Please make sure you obtain permission to enter the disaster site before you respond.

That permission can only be granted by the local law enforcement agencies.

Thank You
Respectfully

Mr. Harry E. Oakes Jr.
International Disaster K9 SAR Coordinator
International K9 Search and Rescue Services.
International Office of Emergency Management