Katrina Response

Stewart County Volunteer Fire Department K9 Search And Rescue Team

Call: From Scott County, Missouri K9 Team we helped train and get started. Capt Marshia Mortain

Partnering with Butler County, Mo Disaster Response Team for Homeland Security.

Coordinated through Missouri Emergency Management and Mississippi Emergency Management.

Stewart County Packed gear on Sept 5, and left for Mississippi Sept 6 going to Bay St. Louis, Ms Returned on Sept12.

Sponsors: Christ Fellowship Church of Cunningham, Bellsouth Pioneers, Centennial Medical Center OB-GYN Staff, and individuals.

Search Responders: Dr. Rita Tinsley, Capt. and Black Labrador "Phoenix", Joe Simmons, Team Training Officer, Mission Coordinator Robin Moore and Yellow Labrador "Rosco", Charles Walker, Support Personnel.

Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was set up at Stennis Airport in Hancock County, Ms School adjacent to it.

We camped with Missouri Teams in Kiln, Ms. Behind Dolly's Convenience store.

On Sept 9, Joe Simmons was requested to manage all search operations in Hancock County, Ms. south of US 90 to Gulf of Mexico - where the eye of the storm went through. He worked with emergency managers, Army National Guard, and the Coast Guard to coordinate search teams present.

Worked 7Am until about noon when became too hot for the dogs to search.. Went to EOC and helped with front desk while keeping dogs cooled down. Back out at 3:30 pm until dark.

We searched 26 square miles and had one find of a body under debris which required the Guard bringing in heavy equipment to move debris. Task Force we were members of searched 130 square miles total.