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Thursday, January 16, 2025

The Western Iowa EMS K9 Association announced this week that they have begun the process of providing a Search and Rescue

The Western Iowa EMS K9 Association announced this week that they have begun the process of providing a Search and Rescue

The Western Iowa EMS K9 Association, a non-profit organization, announced this week that they have begun the process of providing a Search and Rescue K9 with services to be offered to eight area counties. The association released the following statement, which led to the project:

In recent times, we and our close neighbors, as well as others across Iowa, have experienced extreme natural disasters, missing persons, lost children, stolen or lost items, and crimes against our citizens. For our First Responders, including EMS, Law Enforcement, Fire Departments, and Mental Health Agencies, these can be some of the most challenging incidents they are called to respond to. Having a trained Search & Rescue K9 Unit available to assist in these emergencies can be a huge benefit, not only to the First Responders, but also to the victims involved. A trained Search & Rescue K9 Unit can save lives!

During extreme flooding situations and massive storm or tornado devastation a trained K9 Unit can conduct searches of devastated homes and buildings, as well as flood lines to locate victims needing rescued or medical attention. When a child or adult, with or without disabilities, wanders from their home, a trained K9 Unit can execute tracking and trailing procedures to locate the lost or missing person. Article searches can be conducted to locate lost items or assist Law Enforcement in locating evidence left behind at the scene of a crime. These are just a few of the ways a trained Search & Rescue K9 Unit can save lives or greatly improve the outcome of an emergent situation.

The association has a trained K9 Handler who resides in Ida County that has offered to house, care for, train with, and respond with a trained search & rescue dog on a totally VOLUNTEER BASIS. The K9 Unit would be available to assist First Responders in Ida, Woodbury, Cherokee, Buena Vista, Sac, Crawford, Carroll, and Monona Counties as needed and available if they request the service. Response to additional counties may be possible in a major incident.

Western Iowa EMS K9 Association is asking for the public’s help to fund this worthwhile project, as they will receive no tax dollars. The are asking that all businesses, organizations, and individuals that are able to donate to the project. Association Treasurer Stephanie Renze, who is also an Officer at Auburn Fire, stated “WE NEED EVERYONE’S HELP TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN FOR OUR CITIZENS! ALL donations, whether $10 or $10,000, will help save lives in our area.”

Those who wish to play a vital role in this lifesaving project by donating can do so in several ways: 

Make a direct donation to Western Iowa EMS K9 Fund, 271 Mary St, Auburn, IA 51433

Drop donations off at any branch office of the United Bank of Iowa (UBI).

Call or text 712-830-4033 to make arrangements to have your donation picked up or for more information on the project.

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