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: NASAR Tracker I (Mantracker), SARTECH I, Government Tracker (GT3A), Advanced Navigation, MSAR, MPLI, SARIA, WFA, Stop the Bleed, Communicable Disease Prevention, Bloodborne Pathogens, Hug-a-Tree, Crime Scene Preservation and Awareness, NIMS 100, 200, 300, 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, SARIA, 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, NAPWDA 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, 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, NIMS 100, 200, and 700, WFR, 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
K9 Handler - PaWSAR East
Year started in SAR: 2024
Current Occupation: Graphic Designer and Video Editor
Certifications: SARTECH III, WFA, CPR, NIMS 100, 200, 700 and 800
K9 Certifications: Stevie – Trailing in training
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: SARTECH III, WFA, Crime Scene Awareness, CPR/AED, CDC Concussion Training, Bloodborne Pathogens, Water Safety, NIMS 100, 200, 700 and 800,
John Schwartz
Ground Team - PaWSAR East
Year started in SAR: 2024
Current Occupation: EMT/Nursing Student
Wayne Wright
Ground Team - PaWSAR East
Year started in SAR: 2024
Current Occupation: Construction working with concrete waterproofing
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, 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, SARIA, WFA, 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, SARIA, NIMS 100, 200, 700 and 800, Lost Person Behavior – MLPI & Human Tracking, Crime Scene Awareness, SAR: Hazard Awareness – Mines & Wells , CPR/AED, 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: Veterinary Technician, Professional Dog Trainer
Hobbies: Photography, Dog Sports, Hiking, Exploring/Traveling, Reading, Writing
Certifications: SARTECH III, WFA, CPR/AED, Crime Scene Preservation/Awareness, A-100 Basic Aviation Safety, NIMS 100, 200, 700, 800, Water Rescue for the First Responder, Autism Awareness for the First Responder, GPS Basic Endorsement
K9 Certifications: Lux – Air Scent in training
Susan Parrish
K9 Handler - PaWSAR East
Year started in SAR: 2023
Current Occupation: Retired
Hobbies: Volunteering, dog agility, traveling, hiking/walking, gardening, bocce ball, reading
Certifications: SARTECH II (Crime Scene Preservation, GPS Endorsement, Helicopters in SAR), SARIA, WFA, First Aid/CPR/AED, Canine First Aid/Nutrition, NIMS 100, 200, 700, 800. State and Federal Safe Environment clearances
K9 Certifications: Misty – Air Scent in training
Jen Wright
K9 Handler - PaWSAR East
Year started in SAR: 2024
Current Occupation: Self Employed
Jim Finke
Ground Team - PaWSAR East
Year started in SAR: 2024
Current Occupation:
Ruben Martinez
Ground Team - PaWSAR East
Year started in SAR: 2024
Current Occupation: Production Manager for a water damage restoration company
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 II, SARIA, Crime Scene Prevention, 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, CPR/AED, WFA, Crime Scene Preservation/Awareness, Bloodborne Pathogens, NIMS 100, 200, 700, 800, 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, WFA, 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, CPR, EVOC
K9 Certifications: Finn – Trailing in training
Paige Lewis
Ground Team - PaWSAR East
Year started in SAR: 2023
Current Occupation: Teacher
Hobbies: Crafts, Bird Watching, Reading, Dungeons and Dragons
Certifications: SARTECH III, SARIA, WFA, CPR, NIMS 100, 200, 700 and 800
K9 Certifications: Finn – Trailing in training
Sheri Santucci
Vice President - 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 Lieutenant - 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
Staff 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 - DCNR
These courses were offered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Field Team Member is equivalent to the SARTECH III and is ready to be assigned to a task in a search.
The Field Team Leader leads multiple FTM’s into the field who communicates, leads, and makes urgent decisions for the team.
EMT/Paramedic
EMT stands for Emergency Medical Technician. EMT’s are trained to respond quickly to emergency situations such as medical emergencies.
A Paramedic operates at a higher level than the EMT and can perform more advanced life saving procedures.
WFA/WFR
Wilderness First Aid is a 16 hour course that teaches advanced skills to be used in emergencies when help from professional first responders may be far away.
Wilderness First Responder is an 80 hour course that goes more in depth to provide advanced care in remote settings with limited resoureces.
MLPI
Managing the Lost Person Incident is designed to teach the essential knowledge and skills necessary to perform as the search manager utilizing lost person behavior, terrain driven search theory, and scenario driven search theory to improve search strategy and create more effective search plans.
GRID
MSO
SARTECH I, II, & III - NASAR
The following courses are offered by 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. This is equivalent to an FTM.
SARTECH II is the next step in the training process and is equivalent to an FTL. They are the lead assigned to a search task and are responsible for the team.
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.
IPWDA and NAPWDA
IPWDA stands for International Police Work Dog Association. NAPWDA stands for North American Police Work Dog Association.
PaWSAR utilizes IPWDA and/or NAPWDA for their training standards and certifies their K9 disciplines through these third party Law Enforcement Agencies.
Incident Command System
First Aid/CPR
SARTECH III
All members of PAWSAR are required to have SARTECH III.
HELP OUR TEAM KEEP YOUR COMMUNITY SAFE THIS YEAR
Each year, hundreds of loved ones go missing from their homes. There is hope they’ll returned quick and safe … but speed and accuracy only come from well prepared teams. You can help us stay prepared and be a part of bringing that loved one home!
