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
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Stephen BurtonCo-Founder & Director Serving since 2014 NASAR SARTECH II, K9 Handler, Flanker K9 TalithaBreed: 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 |
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JonServing since 2018 NASAR SARTECH II, K9 Handler, Flanker |
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Tim HaskewServing since 2015 NASAR SARTECH II, K9 Handler, Flanker K9 Ollie (Retired)Breed: Standard Poodle Discipline: Area Search NASAR Canine SARTECH III Area Search Certified |
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Dr. Cherie Miner, MDServing since 2020 NASAR SARTECH II, Flanker K9 RemingtonBreed: Mixed Discipline: Area Search NASAR Canine SARTECH III Area Search Certified |
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Emily PadgettServing since 2016 EMT-Advanced, NASAR SARTECH II, K9 Handler, Flanker K9 BrienneBreed: Belgian Malinois Discipline: Area Search NASAR Canine SARTECH III Area Search Certified |
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Arthur PowellCo-Founder & Director Serving since 2014 NASAR SARTECH II, Flanker |
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Kenny PowellCo-Founder & Executive Director Serving since 2014 NASAR SARTECH II, K9 Handler, Flanker K9 SadieBreed: Belgian Malinois Discipline: Area Search & Human Remains Detection (HRD) NASAR Canine SARTECH III Area Search Certified K9 NayaBreed: Belgian Malinois Discipline: Area Search & Human Remains Detection (HRD) NASAR Canine SARTECH III Area Search Certified |
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Roy Scholl, IVServing since 2017 NASAR SARTECH II, K9 Handler, Flanker K9 PelhamBreed: Belgian Malinois Discipline: Area Search NASAR Canine SARTECH III Area Search Certified |
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Janie Shelswell-WhiteServing since 2015 NASAR SARTECH II, Flanker, Team Photographer |
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Scott WatkinsServing since 2020 NASAR SARTECH I, Flanker |
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Geoff WhiteServing 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)