Team | PaWSAR

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, 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 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

K9 Handler - PaWSAR East

Year started in SAR: 2024

Current Occupation: Graphic Designer and Video Editor

Hobbies: Photography, Videography, Volunteering with my therapy dog, Traveling

Certifications: SARTECH III, WFA, First Aid, 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: 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

Hobbies: Backpacking, Rock/Ice Climbing, Skiing, Traveling

Certifications: SARTECH III, WFA, First Aid, CPR, NIMS 100, 200, 700 and 800

Wayne Wright

Ground Team - PaWSAR East

Year started in SAR: 2024

Current Occupation: Construction working with concrete waterproofing

Hobbies: Helping with pet business

Certifications: SARTECH III, First Aid, CPR, NIMS 100, 200, 700 and 800

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, WFA, 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

K9 Handler - PaWSAR East

Year started in SAR: 2024

Current Occupation: Self Employed

Hobbies: Crafting, Hiking, Dog Walking

Certifications: SARTECH III, WFA, First Aid, CPR, NIMS 100, 200, 700 and 800

K9 Certifications: Lucy – HRD in training

Jim Finke

Ground Team - PaWSAR East

Year started in SAR: 2024

Current Occupation:

Hobbies:

Certifications: SARTECH III, WFA, First Aid, CPR, NIMS 100, 200, 700 and 800, Crime Scene Preservation

Ruben Martinez

Ground Team - PaWSAR East

Year started in SAR: 2024

Current Occupation: Production Manager for a water damage restoration company

Hobbies: Rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, camping, fishing and paddleboarding in the summer! I also enjoy being a couch potato and watching movies!

Certifications: SARTECH III, WFA, First Aid, CPR, NIMS 100, 200, 700 and 800, Crime Scene Preservation

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, 800, 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, 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 and III, 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

Hobbies: Hiking, Camping, Photography, Herbalism, Guitar, Philosophy, Yoga

Certifications: SARTECH III, Wilderness First Responder, CPR/AED, SAR Tracking Fundamentals, NIMS 100, 200, 700 and 800

Tanya Mackeand

Ground Team - PaWSAR East

Year started in SAR: 2024

Current Occupation: Machine operator for Herr Foods, Inc.

Hobbies: Caring for my large assortment of farm animals, running my farm, hiking, horseback riding, carriage driving and anything dog related.

Certifications: SARTECH II and III, WFA, First Aid, CPR, NIMS 100, 200, 700 and 800

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

FTM and FTL stand for Field Team Member and Field Team Leader. As a Field Team Leader you are leading multiple FTM’s into the field. An FTL is the person who communicates for the team, leads the team, 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.

NASAR

National Association of Search and Rescue is the orgnization PaWSAR utilizes for training and certifications of our Support Members. Sartech II is a comprehensive wilderness responder course and test utilizing tracking skills, navigation, rope skills, and basic survival skills.

GRID

Having the GRID certification enables the certified individual to be fully aware and knowledgeable in the area of GRID search as opposed to HASTY searches.

MSO

MSO refers to Managing Search Operations. This course teaches search logistics and operations. It is used for those first on scene who need to start planning the entire operation. MSO certifications will enable the trained personnel to operate in the command center during the whole search.

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.

IPWDA Trailing/Cadaver

IPWDA stands for International Police Work Dog Association. PaWSAR utilizes IPWDA for their training standards and certifies their K9 disciplines through this third party Law Enforcement Agency.

Incident Command System

All members of PaWSAR are required to have ICS 100, 200, 700, and 800.

First Aid/CPR

Each PaWSAR member is trained in at least First Aid and CPR.

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