Skyjack Provides K-9 Emergency Response Team with Sonar Technology
Skyjack donated $3,500 to the Midwest K-9 Emergency Response Team in Illinois toward the purchase of a new underwater sonar and chest protector vests for the rescue dogs as part of the company’s 30 for 30 Partners campaign celebrating 30 years in business.
The non-profit organization assists law enforcement in the safe recovering of individuals mainly in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. It relies strongly on donations from corporate sponsors and private groups.
“I’d like to thank Skyjack for their support and generosity,” said Ellen Ponall, president and master trainer for Midwest K-9 Emergency Response Team. “The sonar will help us tremendously in the recovery process because it’s able to pinpoint exactly where the diver should execute the recovery. While the dog vests will prevent sticks and other debris from puncturing the rescue dogs as they conduct searches through rough forests and woods.
“Once the canines have located the area of the drowned victim, the dive teams typically struggle with recovery due to very poor underwater visibility and high currents. The new sonar donated by Skyjack will provide great detail and added safety to the dive teams for recovery.”
In 2015, the team assisted in 25 search and recovery cases with a team of six volunteers and eight dogs. The nonprofit is staffed entirely by volunteers and all expenses from traveling, equipment and dog maintenance and care is funded through donations or sometimes out of the volunteers’ own pockets.
Since February 2015, Skyjack has completed more than two dozen projects as part of its 30 for 30 Partners campaign. Skyjack is supporting 30 different charitable and community-oriented projects worldwide through February 2016.
