About Us

About RMSDA

Established in the Birmingham area in 2014 by co-founders Stephen Burton, Kenny Powell, and Arthur Powell, 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 Founder & Executive 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
	Tim Haskew Director Serving since 2015 NASAR SARTECH II, K9 Handler, Flanker K9 Quincy 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
	Robert Ring Serving since 2022 NASAR SARTECH II, Flanker
	Jon Serving since 2018 NASAR SARTECH II, K9 Handler, Flanker
	James Patterson Serving since 2023 NASAR SARTECH II, Flanker
	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 Wilderness 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)