SEARCH AND RESCUE DOG ASSOCIATION IRELAND NORTH ANNUAL REPORT 23124
- 1 : Chair Report 2 : Secretary Report 3 : Treasurer Report 4 : Training Officer Report 5 : Comm/PR Officer Report 6 : Fundraising Officer Report 7 : Equipment Officer Report
1 : Chair Report 2024
As Chair, I wish to pay tribute to the following members for their unstinting support of SARDA IN:
Raph – TO- who has driven up search dog standards and through his expertise and energy has been instrumental in raising our qualified dog’s number to 12 with 5 more in training. He has
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secured SARDA IN place on the international stage with our USAR dogs and their acceptance by SARAID, the lead international voluntary USAR team in the UK.
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consolidated our position within NIFRS SRT
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been instrumental in our being invited to participate in a UK wide search dog consortium as proposed by SARDA Scotland
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secured additional funding for radios.
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been a lead contact with Waddell Productions in securing suitable film coverage for their proposed BBC project highlighting SARDA IN.
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being a lead in securing mountain skills training for members.
Clair – PR – for an amazing job in extending public awareness of SARDA IN through social media and elsewhere including:
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brokering all dealings with Waddell Productions which have sometimes been challenging.
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constantly updating or social media platforms and ultimately securing a 9.5k following.
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- Continuing to negotiate with Easy Jet to secure in cabin transportation rights for our USAR dogs if called on to deploy internationally.
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Helping to secure several free passages by Stena Line for our dogs, handlers and vehicles to attend training events in the UK.
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Helping Kamil to secure additional fundings for SARDA IN.
Davy – Secretary/EO – for:
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his extensive work in ensuring the credibility of SARDA IN search dogs is maintained and developed in N Ireland and further afield, challenging as required and where necessary.
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his unstinting efforts to secure the best deals when ordering equipment for SARDA IN to enhance our public image when attending callouts or other public engagements.
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his work in being the front for all communications with public bodies.
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helping to set up an improved callout system.
Dugald – Treasurer for:
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his untiring efforts in securing compliance and accountability of SARDA IN accounts
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- guiding our spending aspirations
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promptly responding when asked to settle bills.
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negotiation with DOJ on our behalf on matters pertaining to finance applications.
Kamil – Fund raiser for:
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organising flag/collection days
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fund raising events which are in addition to the above.
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the website design and improvement scheme
Stevie Synott - First Aid lead – for conducting and assessing our REC 3 courses and for advising and securing additional first aid supplies.
I would also pay tribute to
Trustees, Kate, Trevor, and Gerry for their enthusiastic support as Trustees of SARDA IN and throwing in wise counsel during our meetings.
Rosie for taking responsibility for our vehicle maintenance and compliance.
David Gamble for fixing the floor of the container and installing shelving.
John McGibbon for tidying and repainting the two container fronts at TNOEC.
Michael McCamley for organising our USAR training venue at the Bank Newry.
All our wonderful volunteer bodies for their time to help us train our dogs.
Our dedicated team of handlers and dogs who are the reason for us existing and who
Thank you for allowing me to occupy the role as Chair of SARDA IN which has truly been a privilege and a joy.
Neil Powell
Chairman SARDA IN 24/05/2024
2 : Secretary Report
Voluntary organisations like SARDA IN do not just exist, there is a team of committed and dedicated people who work very hard behind the scenes to ensure we grow, develop and maintain the high standards which we are rightly recognised for by the PSNI, NIFRS and other VSAR groups. From “bodies” to Trustees everyone plays an important role, so thank you ALL .
Over the last 12 months some of what we have achieved is detailed below.
Updated policies and procedures (ongoing), updated our Constitution, created several sardain@gmail email addresses with branding, arranged blue light training, completed licence checks, monthly Trustee meetings and minutes, updated the Charity Commission, successfully applied for a 2 year UKSAR training grant ( this is funding our 1[st] aid training and Mountain Skills training), setup contactless payment system for fundraising, arranged boat permits, Access NI, held negotiations with Media organisations about filming protocols.
These are just some examples of the administrative works undertaken and is by no means exhaustive, alongside this there are the regular reports submitted to DoJ/NISAR and communications with many external agencies.
A large part of this role this year has been devoted to ensuring all SAR dog groups maintain the high standard we have set; this work is ongoing, and I would like to thank the Trustee’s for their support in this pursuit.
Davy Fraser
Secretary SARDA IN
3 : Treasurer Report
Search And Rescue Dogs Associaton Ireland North Treasurer’s Report 2024
Date Range: 1 April 2023 - 31 March 2024
| Date Range: 1 April 2023 - 31 March 2024 |
Date Range: 1 April 2023 - 31 March 2024 |
Date Range: 1 April 2023 - 31 March 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Balance 18,759.58 Expenditure 42,456.62 |
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| Closing Balance 33,151.02 Income 56,848.06 |
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| Difference 14,391.44 Difference | 14,391.44 | |
| INCOME 38,279.98 2,054.79 9,350.00 9,163.29 56,848.06 EXPENDITURE 9,054.59 17,185.40 3,218.45 9,054.59 10,000.00 42,456.62 |
||
| Item | INCOME | |
| Donations1 | 38,279.98 | |
| Social media2 | 2,054.79 | |
| Award from Halifax Foundation3 | 9,350.00 | |
| Dept of Justicepayments4 | 9,163.29 | |
| Total | 56,848.06 | |
| Item | EXPENDITURE | |
| Fuel and other vehicle costs5 | 9,054.59 | |
| Equipment/Health and Safety6 | 17,185.40 | |
| Trainingand Assessment7 | 3,218.45 | |
| Administration8 | 9,054.59 | |
| Reserve accounts9 | 10,000.00 | |
| Total | 42,456.62 |
Dugald McCullough, Treasurer May 2024
1 Includes donations by individuals, families and organisations, membership donations and street collections.
2 Income from Amazon/Facebook/Paypal websites
3 Grant for hi-spec Simoco radios
4 The Department of Justice NISAR funding scheme covers 100% of agreed outlays in relation to some training, administration, health and safety equipment, and response vehicle costs.
5 Includes costs of vehicle MOTs, repairs and recurrent fuel costs (mostly repaid by DoJ, as per note 4)
6 Includes range of protective clothing, radio equipment; drone; and vet bills
7 Includes training in partnership with SARDA Scotland, and training overseas for international deployment.
8 Includes postage, stationery, insurance, accountancy, printing, fundraising materials, zoom, and IRO membership fees
9 Two reserve accounts created: £5,000 Business Reserve Account; £5,000 International Deployment Account
4 : Training Officer Report
Current Qualified Search Dogs:
4 x USAR search dogs – Floss, Bodhi, Buzz and Meg
5 x Mountain search dogs–Floss, Tess, Bodhi, Dexter & Bella
3 x Cadaver- Nelly, Bee & Luna
2 x Trailing-Magnus & Fen
TOTAL OF 12 Search dogs
We currently have six trainee search dogs:
Trailing -Boriche, Harley, Nova.
Mountain - Lyra & Buttercup. USAR -Boriche.
Cadave r-Rosie
Update
The monthly training calendar for 2023/24 was planned with numerous joint training events planned and all delivered as scheduled in the past 12 months. Our training schedule this year had a concerted effort to ensure new trainees dogs/handler build on all our success and develop skills to ensure every dog is operationally robust.
We completed USAR search dog joint Multi agency exercises with SARDA IN & SARAID and @Fire (German USAR Team) September in Paris
Over 50 emergency personnel and helpers as well as nine rescue dogs from Germany and Great Britain have demonstrated their skills as an international search and rescue team near Paris in the past few days. The result: 13 people were rescued from the rubble.
On Wednesday afternoon, the fictitious country of Lutetia was shaken by a severe earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale, causing considerable destruction to buildings and infrastructure. Due to the strength of the quake, hundreds of dead and missing persons are reported.
Following the request for assistance from Lutetia on Wednesday evening, SARDA IN immediately mobilised its USAR Search dogs x 3 team to conduct its annual search and rescue exercise. The sister organisation SARAID & @Fire also deployed its USAR team, at the exercise site in Villejust, southwest of Paris.
Other joint exercises occurred with CSR and NIF&RS with specific search dog training exercises at Belfast and Lisburn. And joint operations continue other search Teams on all ‘call outs’ we attend.
We have agreed a new MOU with SARAID (International USAR volunteer Team) to ensure deployment Internationally with our USAR search dogs. We are looking at a time later this year to sign the agreement.
2023-24 Total Callout is 33.
Completed Training events 23/24.
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8 x members completed their REC3 First aid training.
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4 new trainee commenced official SARDA training with their dogs having all completed their canine obedience/stock test.
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New members and new bodies are working to complete the navigation course TNOC in Sept.
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2 Assessors attend the SARDA Scotland Assessment in April
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A new training schedule focus on different disciples each month and all handlers are reminding again to complete logbooks between training sessions.
Successes: We received funding from the Halifax Foundation totalling £10K for new GPS Radios for handlers and Vehicles.
Summary:
We continue to give a big thank to our bodies who continue attend training in all weathers, without your support the training of search dogs could not continue to be successful.
Internationally we continue with our partnerships with SARAID UK which have positioned us in a strong place to attend International USAR responses worldwide. A matrix has been completed for all members training progression and search dog training to ensure accountability and accurate record keeping of progression. SARDA IN is in a very strong position with our qualified search dogs, and we wish to ensure this progression continues in the future.
Raph O’ Connor Training Officer 21.5.24
5 : Comms/P.R. Officer Report
Callouts
| 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|
| 29thMay – PSNI misper Magherafelt | 7thJan – PSNI Misper Mid Ulster |
| 4thJune – PSNI misper Craigavon | 17thJan – PSNI Misper Belfast |
| 8thJune – PSNI misper Malone Road Belfast |
4thMarch – PSNI Misper Strabane |
| 14thJune – PSNI misper Portadown – found by PSNI Dog |
6thMarch – PSNI Misper Lisburn |
| 9.7.23, 10.7.23, 11.7.23 & 12.7.23 deployed by theGardaíto assist theSligo Leitrim Mountain Rescue Teamand NWMRT-Misper in Sligo. |
10thMarch – Redeployed Lisburn |
| 15.7.23Deployed by Police Causeway Coast & Glens, to assist the CRS and PSNI Air Support for Misper Ballymena. Misper located safe and well. |
17thMarch – redeployed PSNI Misper Lisburn |
| 18.8.23 Tasked by the PSNI Derry City and Strabane for Misper last seen at 02:00 on the 17.8.23. Multiagency response with CRS, Foyle S&R and PSNI. |
1stApril – Redeployed to misper Lisburn |
| 23.8.23 PSNI for Misper Mid Ulster. Misper located safe and well. |
2ndApril – PSNI missing teenager Randalstown |
| 11.9.23Police Newry, Mourne & Down misper Newcastle area. At around 21:00 the misper contacted a friend and as a result was found safe and well. |
20thApril – PSNI Misper Murlough Beach |
| 12.9.23 PSNI and stood down as a body had been located. |
Total = 33 |
| 22.9.23 PSNI for a misper Carrickfergus. Stood down prior to arrival as the misper located. |
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| 3.10.23PSNI for Misper last seen at approx. 21:45 on 2.10.23. Missing person located safe and well. |
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| 24.10.23Police Newry, Mourne & Downfor misper walker in the Mourne Mountains last night. |
2023
2024
27.10.23 Police Derry City & Strabane for Misper in the Derry/Londonderry. Search resumed again on 28.10.23 with CRS, Foyle S&R and the PSNI.
6.11.23 Redeployed, with Police Derry City & Strabane, Community Rescue Service Belfast District and Foyle Search and Rescue. 6.12.23 Police Fermanagh & Omagh for Misper . Misper presented himself to hospital.
16.12.23 Mourne Mountain Rescue Team and Police Newry, Mourne & Down Misper in the Mournes. Located by MR dog safe and well.
19.12.23 Police Derry City & Strabane for Misper in the Strabane area with CRS. After several hours of searching, our Dog Teams have stood down for the night. 25.12.23 Police Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon, for Misper in the Armagh area. They were located safe and well a short time later.
29.12.23 Police Antrim & Newtownabbey ongoing search for a Misper in Antrim area alongside Lough Neagh Rescue, Police Antrim & Newtownabbey and CRS. Stood down at approximately 18:00.
30.12.23 Police Lisburn & Castlereagh to assist in a search for a high risk misper in the Lisburn area.
Donations/Sponsorship
| 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|
| 17thJune – Photos at Training Day by Colin King for new website |
Communications via email continue with EasyJet & the CAA re: free UK flights in the event of an International Disaster – awaiting formal agreement |
| Donegal Assoc Dublin (Kevin Mc Fadden) 2500 euro received. |
Continue to tag Stenaline for any free sailings to the mainland/Scotland for joint training |
| Fr John Joe Creeslough – 1500 euro received. |
8thJan – 3000 euro Snugborough ‘Cars & Coffee’ |
| John Mc Gee Ironday Challenge - 2000 euro received. |
12thJan – Coffee morning Credit Union Carnglen £250 |
| 6thFeb - £100 Girls Brigade Hazelbank | |
| 1stMarch - KB Dog Services donation | |
| 10thMarch – Matthew Mc Callan Tractor Run (2ndyear) – still awaiting donation lodgement NO replies from emails sent to Peter Mc Callan on 23rdApril & 15thMay |
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| 11thApril – refurbished HP laptop donated by the Halifax |
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| 30thApril – Newcastle Street Collection £1032.34 |
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| 6thMay – TNOC meet up with the Halifax Foundation trustees – donation £10,000 |
Events/Publicity
| 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|
| 29thMay – Connor Phillips Show – live broadcast from Newcastle with Demo from Floss |
8thJan - Emma Patterson UTV filming completed – will be televised June/July |
| 21stJune – Equinox Joint Training (NIFRS) exercise Chorley (Raph & Trevor) |
21stFeb - NIAS Retired Personnel AGM Tullyglass Hotel – publicity only |
| 23rd-25thJune – USAR, Cadaver & Trailing Dog Assessment weekend for SARDA IN |
Cadaver dogs Nelly & Bee filmed as part of the ‘Six Silent Killings’ Sky Documentary 2 part series and released 24thMarch - Won the RTS Ireland Awards 2024 for best ‘factual series’ in April |
| 16thJuly – Pooches in the Park event (Trevor & Davy) |
The Repair Shop filming part 1 completed in May ’24 – part 2 to be filmed in June/July ’24 (MR Dog Pepper) |
| 10thAug – Initial communication from Ally Thompson (BBC Pets Saving Lives’) |
SARDA IN free advertisement in the Ballymena RFC Women’s Rugby Section’s 7thAnniversary book |
| 26thAugust – Newcastle Harbour Family Fun Day |
24thMay – Mackle Petfood’s ‘Grocers’ Ball 2024’ @ The Culloden Hotel – for their free sponsorship of SARDA IN Search Dogs |
| 3rdSept – Bright Eyes Animal Sanctuary | Changes to be made to the DOJ NISAR and Community NI websites re: SARDA IN (Inaccurate info) |
| 11thSept – Retired Healthcare Group Talk (£50 donation) |
Website work ongoing with KW |
| 15thSept - Article in Derry Journal arranged with Neil & Davy (printed 15/9/23) |
Facebook Followers – 9542 Instagram - 441 X - 438 |
| 21stSept – Stenaline free UK travel began and continue to tag them on any journeys |
|
| ‘Bee’ appeared on BBC ‘Expert Witness’ S3 E10 –Invoiced ‘Five Mile Films Ltd’, 104.39 |
|
| Continuing to tag Naturo Natural Pet Food, Quay Dog & The Animal Physio in social media posts |
| 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|
| 6thOct – USAR training @ NI College Fire Service Training Facility and photos with Aidan Jennings |
|
| 7thOct – Attended 1stanniversary of the Creeslough Tragedy |
|
| 7thOct – Ballymena Tesco door Collection £776.50 |
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| 22ndOct – Cars & Coffee fundraiser in aid of Leona Harper |
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| 24-28thOct – Joint USAR training SARAID UK |
|
| 28thOct – USPCA Halloween Howler Fun Day, Newry |
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| All qualified dogs & handlers photographs completed by Johnny Sterritt for website and social media usage |
|
| 25thNov – Critical Care Seminar – PR only |
|
| Communication continues with EasyJet re: free UK connecting flights in the event of an International Disaster |
6 : Fundraising Officer Report
Door collections / Donations
| Location | Date | Funds Raised |
|---|---|---|
| Tesco Newcastle | August 2023 | £1108.40 |
| Retired healthcare group | September 2023 | £200 |
| John McGee Ironday Challenge | September 2023 | £2000 |
| Donegal Association Dublin |
September 2023 | €2500 |
| Tesco Ballymena | October 2023 | £776.50 |
| Creeslough Community Association |
October 2023 | €1500 |
| Offset IRL Cars and coffee |
October 2023 | €1376 |
| Declan Patton Seven Sevens challenge |
November 2023 | £540 |
| Belfast Street Collection | December 2023 | £4372 |
| Harper Family, Leonas song |
January 2024 | €3000 |
| Carnglen Credit Union | January 2024 | £250.00 |
| Hazelbank School Ballymena | February 2024 | £100.00 |
| Newcastle collection | March 2024 | £1032.34 |
| Tesco Newcastle | March 2024 | 5 dog life jackets |
Total
£18,755.24
Funds Raised Through Website
£904.68
Website Completion & Launch September 2024
Promotional Events
Pooches in the park Rainbow Rehoming Derry/LondonDerry July 2023 Newcastle
Harbour Festival August 2023
Bright eyes Animal Sanctuary September 2023
USPCA Newry October 2023
Critical Care Symposium November 2023 NIAS
Retired Personnel February 2024
Upcoming Events
Tesco Dungannon Collection 15.06.24 Newcastle Street Collection 06.07.24 Clonmany Agricultural Show 07.08.24
Tesco Craigavon Collection 28.09.24
Website Completion & Launch Belfast
Street Collection 28.12.24 Kirton Boys
Brigade TBC
Balmoral Show 2025 TBC
7 : Equipment Officer Report
During the past 12 months, we have sourced various pieces of equipment to support our SAR functions.
USAR (Urban Search & Rescue) : During our training with SARAID the requirement to be “deployment” ready was reinforced into our planning. We have sourced the following equipment to ensure we are ready to deploy within 24/48hrs should an international request for assistance be made.
Wheeled transport containers for mobilising a team of up to 4 members with dogs with tents, freeze dried food (4 x 7 days supply), stove, water purification, walkie talkies, heli and canine heli harnesses and all necessary equipment.
Comms : Halifax grant successful resulting in the ordering of Simoco radio system (new mobile radios in all vehicles and new handhelds). The aim is to remove the various radios we presently operate with and have Simoco product across the team.
Clothing : New molle style HV search jackets for handlers, Keela Belay jacket with team logos etc... on order, ME jackets/trousers on order for long serving bodies, trial lightweight drysuit received for DV work, various trial USAR clothing ordered and on test.
GPS : System setup to utilise Etrex GPS units
VOIP: New callout system introduced using a cloud-based phone system. Tasking authorities now have just have to dial one number and all qualified dog handlers’ mobiles will ring simultaneously. This option greatly reduces the pressure and workload on Callout Officers and provides reassurance to the PSNI, etc…
Fundraising: Sumup contactless card readers
Finally, a thank you to Rosie for assuming the responsibility for all our vehicles (servicing, MOT’s, etc…)
Davy Fraser E.O.