John Norris
Chief - Ground Team - PaWSAR East
Year started in SAR: 2022
Current Occupation: US Army Research and Development
Hobbies: Guitar, Hunting, Hiking, Automotive Customization
Certifications: Mantracker I, SARTECH II and III, MSAR, MPLI, SARIA, WFA, Stop the Bleed, Communicable Disease Prevention, Bloodborne Pathogens, Hug-a-Tree, Crime Scene Awareness, NIMS 100, 200, 700 and 800
Marnie Powell
K9 Captain - K9 Handler - PaWSAR East
Year started in SAR: 2000
Current Occupation: Project Assistant for an Environmental Engineering Firm
Hobbies: Dogs, Running, Snowboarding, Geocaching
Certifications: SARTECH II, GRID, MSO, Crime Scene Awareness, NIMS 100, 200, 700 and 800, WFA
K9 Certifications: K9 Gaia – IPWDA Certified HRD Land and Water; K9 Indy – IPWDA Certified Trailing
Stephanie Norris
Training Captain - Sec/Treas - Ground Team - PaWSAR East
Year started in SAR: 2022
Current Occupation: Electronics Technician for the Army
Hobbies: Hiking, Puzzles, Baking, Games
Certifications: SARTECH II and III, MLPI, SARIA, WFA, SAR Tracking Fundamentals, Crime Scene Awareness, NIMS 100, 200, 700 and 800
Justin Kukuruda
Chief - K9 Handler - PaWSAR West
Year started in SAR: 2022
Current Occupation: Business Owner
Hobbies: Hiking, Fishing, Sports, Farming, Dogs
Certifications: SARTECH II, III, IV, NIMS 100, 200, and 700, WFR, WFA, First Aid/CPR, Crime Scene Preservation, Operational Leadership Leadership and Managing an Incident Within an Incident, Advanced Level Helicopters in SAR, Hazmat Awareness, GPS Endorsement
K9 Certifications: Cairo – Trailing in training, Honey – HRD in training
Elizabeth Jennings
Ground Team - PaWSAR East
Year started in SAR: 2024
Current Occupation: Graphic Designer and Video Editor
Certifications: SARTECH III, First Aid, CPR, NIMS 100, 200, 700 and 800
Madison Luckenbaugh
Ground Team - PaWSAR East
Year started in SAR: 2024
Current Occupation: Facility Security Officer
Hobbies: Singing w/ York County Symphony, Hiking, Petting Dogs
Certifications: NIMS 100, 200, 700 and 800, SARTECH III, WFA, Crime Scene Awareness, CPR/AED, CDC Concussion Training, Bloodborne Pathogens, Water Safety
John Schwartz
Ground Team - PaWSAR East
Year started in SAR: 2024
Current Occupation: EMT/Nursing Student
Pepper Broad
Search Manager/FTL
Pepper Broad has been given the honor of being a life member of PaWSAR for his dedication and commitment to the team.
Year started in SAR:
Current Occupation:
Hobbies:
Certifications: WFA, ACLS, PALS, CRNA, SARTECH I, INLAND SAR, PSO, NCRC, FTL, MSO, Ham Radio
Keith Cox
Deputy Chief - President - K9 Handler - PaWSAR East
Year started in SAR: 2013
Current Occupation: Printing
Hobbies: Hiking, Camping, Dogs
Certifications: SARTECH II, MLPI, SARIA, WFA, Crime Scene Awareness, NIMS 100, 200, 700 and 800, Water Rescue for the First Responder, CPR/First aid, Stop The Bleed
K9 Certifications: K9 Nakoma – IPWDA Certified Trailing; Cash – HRD in training
David Fox
Ground Team - PaWSAR East
Year started in SAR: 2020
Current Occupation: Entrepreneur, Innovation Consultant
Hobbies: Rock Climbing, Mixology
Certifications: SARTECH II and III, SARIA, WFA, First Aid, CPR, Infant CPR
Owen Knepp
K9 Lieutenant - K9 Handler - PaWSAR East
Year started in SAR: 2020
Current Occupation: EMT, Rock Climbing Coach & Outdoor Guide
Hobbies: Rock Climbing, Slacklining, Backpacking, and Snowboarding
Certifications: SARTECH II, NREMT, WFA, CPR, Crime Scene Preservation, NIMS 100, 200, 700, and 800, HAZMAT Awareness
K9 Certifications: River – Trailing in training
Mattias Ponzani
Safety Officer - K9 Handler - PaWSAR East
Year started in SAR: 2019
Current Occupation: Corporate Engineering Tech Project Manager
Hobbies: Dogs (SAR, Rescue & Foster), Outdoor Activities (Hiking, Orienteering, Kayak, Whitewater Rafting, Zipline, Camping), Thrill Rides (Coasters, Gravity Drops, Slingshots…)
Certifications: SARTECH II and III, SARIA, NIMS 100, 200, 700 and 800, Lost Person Behavior – MLPI & Human Tracking, Crime Scene Awareness, SAR: Hazard Awareness – Mines & Wells , CPR/AED, First Aid, WFA, Stop The Bleed, Canine First Aid/Nutrition, Radio Communication, SARTOPO, GPS/Garmin In-Reach SOS
K9 Certifications: Raven – Trailing in training
Sarah Shelanski
Training Lieutenant - K9 Handler - PaWSAR East
Year started in SAR: 2021
Current Occupation: Dog Trainer
Hobbies: Dog Sports, Hiking, Video Editing, Reading, and Writing
Certifications: SARTECH III, CPR (BLS), NIMS 100, 200, 700 and 800
K9 Certifications: Lux – Air Scent in training
Susan Parrish
Ground Team Lieutenant - K9 Handler - PaWSAR East
Year started in SAR: 2023
Current Occupation: Retired in Dec 2022 from a career in Business Operations
Hobbies: Playing with my dogs at Agility (obstacle courses) and tricks, gardening, traveling, bocce ball, walking/hiking, reading
Certifications: SARTECH III, SARIA, WFA, Red Cross First Aid CPR AED for adults, children and infants, NIMS 100, 200, 700 and 800, State clearances for working with children
K9 Certifications: Misty – Air Scent in training
Jen Wright
Ground Team - PaWSAR East
Year started in SAR: 2024
Current Occupation: Self Employed
Steve Gillespie
Ground Team Captain - PaWSAR East
Year started in SAR: 2017
Current Occupation: Retired
Hobbies: Hiking, Backpacking, Kayaking, Music/Percussion, Team Rubicon
Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, CPR/AED, FTM, FTL, SARTECH III, SARIA, NIMS 100, 200, 700 and 800
Wendy Ewing
K9 Handler - PaWSAR East
Year started in SAR: 1999
Current Occupation: Retired
Hobbies: Dogs, Walking, Reading, Horses, Spending time with grand children
Certifications: SARTECH II, NIMS 100, 200, 700, First Aid/CPR, WFA, Crime Scene Preservation/Awareness, Bloodborne Pathogens, Hazardous Materials
K9 Certifications: K9 Nellie – IPWDA Certified HRD Land
Tanya Goldberg
K9 Handler - PaWSAR East
Year started in SAR: 2023
Current Occupation: Customer Service Specialist
Hobbies: Coloring, Horseback riding
Certifications: SARTECH III, SARIA, BLS, NIMS 100, 200, 700, 800
K9 Certifications: Maus – Trailing in training
Hunter Lewis
Medical Captain - K9 Handler - PaWSAR East
Year started in SAR: 2023
Current Occupation: Career Firefighter
Hobbies: Dungeons and Dragons, Gaming, Hiking, Camping
Certifications: SARTECH II, Helicopter Ops, EMT, SARIA, Crime scene awareness, GPS Endorsement, WFA, NIMS 100, 200, 700 and 800, Hazmat Ops, BLS CPR, EVOC
K9 Certifications: Finn – Trailing in training
Paige Lewis
K9 Handler - PaWSAR East
Year started in SAR: 2023
Current Occupation: Teacher
Hobbies: Crafts, Bird Watching, Reading, Dungeons and Dragons
Certifications: SARTECH III, SARIA, WFA, First Aid, CPR, NIMS 100, 200, 700 and 800
K9 Certifications: Finn – Trailing in training
Sheri Santucci
K9 Handler - PaWSAR West
Year started in SAR: 2023
Current Occupation: Ophthalmic Veterinary Nurse, Dog Trainer
Hobbies: Camping, Music, Therapy Dog Volunteering, Dog training and Socializing
Certifications: NIMS 100, 200, 700 and 800, SARTECH III, Pet & Human CPR, Crime Scene Preservation, SAR Physical Fitness
K9 Certifications: Peyo – Air Scent in training
Ian Lawrence
Ground Team - PaWSAR East
Year started in SAR: 2024
Current Occupation: Director of Marketing & Communications
Tanya Mackeand
Ground Team - PaWSAR East
Year started in SAR: 2024
Current Occupation: Machine operator for Herr Foods, Inc.
Charlie Richman
Lifetime Member - PaWSAR East
Year started in SAR:
Current Occupation:
Hobbies:
Certifications: C.E.R.T., Pet First Aid/CPR, SARTECH III, Water Rescue Awareness, Hazmat, MSO, T.A.P. and HAM Radio
Curious about what all those certifications are? Check below!
FTM/FTL
EMT/Paramedic
A Paramedic operates at a higher level than the EMT and can perform more advanced life saving procedures.
NASAR
GRID
MSO
SARTECH I, II, & III
The following information is taken from NASAR.org….
SARTECH III is the beginning course for someone looking at getting into Search and Rescue. It provides knowledge concerning the general responsibilities, skills, abilities, and the equipment needed by persons who would be participating in a search or rescue mission.
SARTECH II is the next step in the training process and is essentially an FTL. Visit the FTL tab to learn more.
SARTECH I/CREWLEADER level of certification is the advanced level for SAR personnel. The level is recommended only for persons who function on SAR missions as field searchers and who may function as Crew Leader.