An inside look at
SAAR
Search & Rescue
Brought to you by the F.A.S.. Co.
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Please
note: Jack (below) is NO longer with us...see
memorials.
Meet Charlie &
Jack (AKA "Yukon Jack")
Mid
West K9 SAAR
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By Charlie Barnett When I was a boy, I wanted to be a police officer. In 1984 I went to work for an investigation firm in Oklahoma City. I had a K-9 partner, "Shep" that I trained for the company. That same year I was "let go" do to some new state laws. In 1988 I went to college. I received a degree in paralegal in 1990. While I was attending school, I met my wife, Krissie. We were married in December 1990. I had to give up my partner. Shep who was donated to a Luther Sheriff's deputy. My wife felt sad for me and bought me a black lab, Samantha. Over the next few years we had a daughter and Krissie got her degree in nursing. I worked at night and was at home during the day. Sam would often go in to the baby's room and look in the crib. As Molly, our daughter, became older, Sam became very protective of her and would keep her out of trouble. Sam also was a very loving dog who liked everyone. In 1994 Sam became epileptic. We tried everything and spared no expense. I had her put down. I stayed there with her and made a promise that she would never be forgotten. In 1994 I joined a group, Amateur Radio Emergency Services. On April 19, 1995, the Federal Building was blown up. Krissie and I were both called out to the scene. I could not believe what I was seeing. In 1998 I joined the Heartland Search and Rescue and got a black lab puppy, Jack, donated to me by a family from Moore, Oklahoma. Over the next year or so, I trained him. On May 3, 1999, I was called out to help find victims in Moore, Oklahoma. I had Jack with me. I don't know how many people we found. It seemed like it was one right after the other. Jack was inducted into the "Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association Pet Hall of Fame" on January 22, 2000 for his work during the tornados. Soon after we joined MidWest SAAR. In May, Jack helped find a drowning victim. Molly, who is now 8 years old, helped in training Jack by hiding for me and others. That is where we came up with the slogan support for search and rescue, "Get Lost." I never became a police officer, but I have one heck of a partner. His big sister, "Sam" would be proud of him. Well that is how I became involved with the SAAR. My parents live near us in Oklahoma City. I never went into paralegal work, as I still work with my hands. I do commercial construction and maintenance for the John A. Henry, Inc. If I get called out for a search, they still pay me for that day. All of my equipment is bought and paid for by me, out of my own pocket. We have a 1978 GMC Jimmy we use as a field car. It is equipped with 5 gallons of water, dog food, first aid kit, bed roll, tent, fire extinguisher, food, television, and all kinds of radio equipment, pick, shovel, rope for repelling, and swift water rescue equipment. The truck is in the process of being repaired because I was a little too close to the tornado last year. This tornado had winds up to 318 mph, killing 40 people and leaving thousands homeless. I have other ideas I am going to try. I am going to start talking at a few schools and let them know what search teams do and who they really are. I have even put our logo and name on the side of my truck windows. We are planing to fix the truck up for car shows and will include a modified motor and lift kit for it, as well as, over sized tires. We feel this will also help letting people know who we are. Our team members right now are limited. Jeff with "Frog," (K-9), Darcie with "Toad," (K-9), and of course " Jack, (K-9) and I. Jack and Toad have already worked several rescues, and Frog is still in training. I forgot to mention the newest K-9, "George" who is a Chow-Golden mix that was rescued from a puppy mill by my wife. Thanks, Charles Barnett and Yukon Jack (K9) Unit 18 - MidWest Search and Rescue - Moore, Oklahoma Support Search and Rescue - " GET LOST !" |