About RMSDA

Established in the Birmingham area in 2014 by co-founders Kenny Powell and Stephen Burton, the Red Mountain Search Dog Association is a volunteer nonprofit search and rescue association organized to assist law enforcement and other government agencies in the search for lost or missing persons.

The Red Mountain Search Dog Association works to organize and support the continuing education and training of volunteers, dog teams, and support personnel in accepted search and rescue methods.

If needed, we are able to furnish certified handler and dog teams as well as highly trained support and ground search personnel for search and rescue for the benefit and welfare of our community.

The Red Mountain Search Dog Association also strives to increase public awareness of search and rescue trained volunteers and dog teams by providing informational and educational programs and demonstrations to institutions, agencies and community organizations.

The Red Mountain Search Dog Association is incorporated as a Nonprofit Corporation within the state of Alabama and by the Federal Government under section 501(c)(3) as a 509(a)(1) Tax Exempt Non-Profit Organization.

Meet the Team

Stephen Burton

Co-Founder & Director

Serving since 2014

 NASAR SARTECH II, K9 Handler, Flanker

K9 Talitha

Breed: Doberman Pinscher

Discipline: Area Search

NASAR Canine SARTECH III Area Search Certified

K9 Jemma (In Memoriam)

Breed: Belgian Malinois

Discipline: Area Search

NASAR Canine SARTECH III Area Search Certified

Jon

Serving since 2018

NASAR SARTECH II, K9 Handler, Flanker

Tim Haskew

Serving since 2015

NASAR SARTECH II, K9 Handler, Flanker

K9 Ollie (Retired)

Breed: Standard Poodle

Discipline: Area Search

NASAR Canine SARTECH III Area Search Certified

Dr. Cherie Miner, MD

Serving since 2020

NASAR SARTECH II, Flanker

K9 Remington

Breed: Mixed

Discipline: Area Search

NASAR Canine SARTECH III Area Search Certified

Emily Padgett

Serving since 2016

EMT-Advanced, NASAR SARTECH II, K9 Handler, Flanker

K9 Brienne

Breed: Belgian Malinois

Discipline: Area Search

NASAR Canine SARTECH III Area Search Certified

Arthur Powell

Co-Founder & Director

Serving since 2014

NASAR SARTECH II, Flanker

Kenny Powell

Co-Founder & Executive Director

Serving since 2014

NASAR SARTECH II, K9 Handler, Flanker

K9 Sadie

Breed: Belgian Malinois

Discipline: Area Search & Human Remains Detection (HRD)

NASAR Canine SARTECH III Area Search Certified
NASAR Canine Human Remains Detection Land Type IV Certified

K9 Naya

Breed: Belgian Malinois

Discipline: Area Search & Human Remains Detection (HRD)

NASAR Canine SARTECH III Area Search Certified
NASAR Canine Human Remains Detection Land Type IV Certified

Roy Scholl, IV

Serving since 2017

NASAR SARTECH II, K9 Handler, Flanker

K9 Pelham

Breed: Belgian Malinois

Discipline: Area Search

NASAR Canine SARTECH III Area Search Certified

Janie Shelswell-White

Serving since 2015

NASAR SARTECH II, Flanker, Team Photographer

Scott Watkins

Serving since 2020

NASAR SARTECH I, Flanker

Geoff White

Serving since 2015

NASAR SARTECH II, Flanker, BLS Healthcare Provider

Courses and Certifications

Our team members train weekly, attend seminars yearly, and maintain certification through nationally recognized search and rescue bodies. Below is a list of course work completed and certifications currently held by our team:

  • NASAR SARTECH II
  • NASAR Canine SARTECH III Area Search
  • NASAR Canine Human Remains Detection Land
  • CPR and First Aid (or equivalent)
  • HAM radio license
  • ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-700, ICS-800, and ICS-809
  • Bloodborne Pathogen
  • Crime Scene Preservation
  • Dogs have a CGC (or equivalent)