Rescue Dog Day

Greetings from UN-INSARAG World Chairman Toni Frisch and Director General Attila Tartár

Saving human’s live is one of the noblest duties anywhere around the world.

In case of a disaster, official experts – no matter how well trained – just cannot meet the requirements of their jobs without any external help.
Experience shows that even if professional knowledge, appropriate equipment and sufficient number of stuff/personneare all available during the search of a missing person, if the assistance does not come in time, it will cost human lives.
The recourse to “man’s best friend” in case of search and rescue has been increasingly recognized recently. Dogs have the special ability of sniffing the victim from far and signaling to their handlers. Thanks to them, there is a greater Chance of finding a missing person in time, which is very important since the success of a rescue operation highly depends on speed.
In disasters the higher the number of available of available trained rescue dogs, the easier it becomes for the rescuers.
The Hungarian Directorate General for Disaster Management has been cooperating with NGO rescue dog associations for the sake of national and international deployments.
The success of the Central Rescue Organization of Budapest proves the high level of training of the Hungarian dog search and rescue organizations.
One of our search and rescue teams took part in a SAR operation after the devasting earthquake in Indonesia last year.
It is very important for me that I have the chance to greet the members of the IRO and the International Search and Rescue Organisation on the occasion of “Day of Search and Rescue Dogs”.
Hereby, I would like to congratulate them for investing a huge of amount of time and money in the training of their dogs, and they and their dogs – spare no pains – are always available to rescue human’s life.
Moreover, I would like to thank them for their noble job here in Hungary and abroad, and wish them vast of stamina and many successful deployments in the future.

Yours sincerely
Dr. Attila Tartár
Director General INSARAG

—-

Dear Friends of the Rescue Dog world and Rescue Dog Handlers,

On the 25th April 2010, International Search and Rescue Dog Day will be celebrated around the globe. I am very pleased to note that, due to this event, the work of the rescue dogs and, of course, that of their handlers is highly valued. I know very well how much energy is involved in your work. It is a task, which demonstrates a close connection between a duty to rescue, a hobby and a love for animals.

I have not only observed and experienced first hand what you are able to achieve together during training sessions, testing events and mission readiness tests; but also, especially so as Mission Leader of rescue efforts following earthquakes overseas. Many people, whether lost in the mountains, trapped in an avalanche or buried under rubble, have been rescued due to your efforts and they owe you their lives.

Your work, the countless hours of training and your accomplishments during missions deserve thanks and the highest recognition. I therefore want to express our gratitude to everyone, whether you are a dog handler, a person in charge of an associated organisation or a background helper.

Thus, I wish you all much future success, both on this special occasion and in your continuing efforts.

Toni Frisch

World Chairman INSARAG