As a retired SAR K9 Handler in WA State, I have followed this case from day one with immense fascination as well as gut wrenching sadness for this Mom who has shared her pain so publicly. I have innumerable friends/SAR partners who have worked diligently on this search. I can honestly say I have never seen so much time, effort and compassion given to any single missing person by Law Enforcement, SAR Volunteers from all over the state of WA, Air Ops, Drone support, Marines, Air Force, US Navy NAS, US Air Force, just to name a few resources that were called out. I can understand it doesn't help bring anyone full resolution or understanding to the family of the missing person, but what I can't understand is if any negative thoughts are expressed that after 3 weeks of intensive search it was "Called off" and that somehow is a negative. I could be wrong....it appeared that might be the case. JMO
Even after that call off, the Sheriff's office shared all their reports, mapping, records and data with the new non professional resources and tried to help and support their ongoing efforts. That a huge accomplishment in itself because someone had to take the time to compile all of that date so it made sense to pass along. Big job.
Here are some interesting facts to note: Search in Rescue in WA State comes under the department of the military Search and Rescue Operations.
Search and Rescue (SAR) Program | Washington State Military Department
To be a part of this, SAR Volunteers are required to comply with all rules, regulation and training requirements. All of its totally volunteer costing the average SAR person 2-8K dollars a year of their own money. In return the state allows them to respond to call outs and covers them with liability and medical coverage for themselves, their equipment and the K9's, AS LONG as they deploy under what is called a mission number requested by the local Sheriff's office and authorized by the State of WA. If a person doesn't follow the rules and self deploys a lot more is at stake besides what is now being referred to as "Workman's Compensation".
Heres some food for thought about what is actually at stake:
~What if you break a legs leaving the house? or are hurt driving to the mission? fall off a cliff, get injured and require extensive medical care that can run into thousands if not hundreds of thousands who is going to pay for your medical bills?
~What if your K9 gets critically injured. SAR volunteers pay for their own K9's, training, gear, and its said a good certified SAR K9 is worth 20K plus dollars. Who will pay?
~What if the family decides they are unhappy with the SAR efforts and want to sue for compensation (happens) and your name is brought up in the law suit? Who will pay?
~What if the call you go on turns into a criminal investigation and LE is not involved so anything that is found is outside the jurisdiction of any case?
These are just a few thoughts to share that might help someone understand the reason for not self deploying without a mission number as much as someone might desperately want to. If a SAR volunteer deploys with a mission number these are some of the things that they are protected from.
Last but not least, Law Enforcement is NOT required to use SAR volunteers. It requires management on their part, a designated liaison officer, the ability to keep and build a relationship so the teams are mission ready when called. Go outside that very specific and well thought out system and guess what, you CAN be fired as a volunteer, loose your integrity with your team mates as well as your reputation. All the time, efforts, financial, personal and emotional investments are gone. Not a happy thought. IMO, there is a reason the recent K9 handler that was up there with the dog Raven was not named or spoken of. Not that I know specifically.
Just my thoughts and opinions, for what it might be worth.
