In today's changing world, canine search and rescue efforts have become part of the leading edge of rescue and recovery operations. Equipment has become high-tech and LaSAR is often dependent on the requesting agency to provide some of the equipment needed at the scene. Not all needed items are always available and LaSAR would like to become self-sufficient in the field.
You can be a part of LaSAR's efforts by providing much needed financial support. LaSAR is a 501.c(3) organization and all contributions are tax deductible. We are asking for your assistance to help us acquire some of the key equipment needed to effectively continue our work.
Your donation may be designated for the purchase of a specific item, or to be used at the discretion of the team. None of the funds will be used for administrative costs. Any donation amount will be gratefully received. If you would like to make a donation to LaSAR, you can do so in one of two ways: You can send a check made payable to LaSAR Dog Team to the following address;
Louisiana Search and Rescue Dog Team
P.O. Box 2477
Slidell, LA 70459
Communications/Equipment Trailer
There is a tremendous amount of equipment that the team must transport to a scene. At the present time, each handler is responsible for bringing all his or her equipment needs with them. A 14 foot communications/equipment trailer would provide space for excess equipment needed along with a communications center that would have a place for the teams Incident Commander to monitor all field operations taking place. The communications in the trailer would include computers, printers, additional radio batteries, cellular phone and extending antenna. The cost of the trailer is $4,791.
Radios
Radio communications is the lifeline of both the one working to rescue and the one in need of rescuing. When in the field working to save a life, it is vital to have radio communications that will be effective and efficient. The current radios owned by LaSAR are aging and have ceased to be reliable in the field. As a result, the team must replace the existing radios at a cost of 20 radios totaling $6,000. In addition, extra batteries at $60 per battery would also need to be purchased. We would need an additional 20 batteries at $60 for a total of $1,200.
UPDATE: Thanks to your generous donations LaSAR was able to purchase radios for the team members!
Global Satellite Positioning Equipment (GPS)
When working an unknown area, it is conducive for the handlers to have Global Satellite Positioning (GPS) units. The GPS will allow the handlers to better cover the areas as they search for a lost child, hunter or Alzheimer patient. It affords the team with a viable way of mapping the area and making sure that the area assigned to them has been covered. It also allows the handler to provide a true location of the missing person upon being found in order to facilitate the efforts of evacuating them from the site in a safe and effective fashion. Evacuation efforts can include by way of helicopter and by using the GPS, coordinates could be provided the pilot. The approximate cost of a unit is $250 with a total cost of $5,000 to purchase a unit for each handler.
Pagers
LaSAR maintains 20 alpha-numeric pagers. It costs the team $3,800 a year to maintain the pagers. Every member of LaSAR is issued a team pager. These pagers are used to facilitate call outs. When a search occurs, the entire team is made aware of the needs and are able to respond quickly to fill those needs. Prior to having pagers, our team would have to make individual calls in order to field a viable team. Now with the alpha-numeric pagers, we are able to contact all members within minutes. When a child is missing, time can be a major issue. Assistance with any portion of this cost will help the team significantly.
