OSRT Community Education
The Ohio Special Response Team (OSRT) provides multiple levels of community education. First, and foremost, our search, rescue, disaster response operators focus on helping families understand the function of search and rescue in and around Ohio. As part of our "Community Awareness Campaign" OSRT also provides discussions regarding who we are and how we can assist families in crisis.
Missing Persons Searches
When a family member or friend turns up missing there exists a wide range of actions that need to take place.
First and foremost, involve local law enforcement. Provide officers with as detailed a description of the incident as possible.
Recognize that law enforcement will do their absolute best to assist you but sometimes it's a good idea to request more comprehensively trained and equipped help, You have the right to request that OSRT become involved in the search. Contact us if you need our help, but be sure to gain permission from the officer in charge of the incident.
Involving Search K-9s
Qualified search K-9s are very frequently critical to locating a missing person. However, one of the critical problems with K-9s involves the tendency of families and others to rush around looking for the missing individual. Perfectly normal response, right?
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Unfortunately, in an incident where the missing person is on foot, all those people can literally obliterate any possible scent trail the K-9 could have followed.
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Consider, carefully, the alternative of bringing certified and experienced search K-9s into play as soon as humanly possible.
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OSRT has a wide range of qualified search K-9s available for your use.
Small Children
When a small child turns up missing, don't panic. Contact law enforcement, then conduct a thorough search of your home and any outbuildings you may have nearby. When we say through, that's exactly what we mean. Small children often slip into tiny spots around the home and fall asleep. They may not hear you searching for them.
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OSRT also recommends that you bring in a "live find" search K-9 to repeat the process. Our team will clear the house and structures alongside law enforcement and ensure that little Timmy isn't hiding under a pile of clothing in a closet.