BGE Helps Fund GPS Collars For Emergency Response Dogs

CROWSNVILLE, Md. (WJZ) --Even in rainy weather, like Wednesday, search and rescue teams are tasked with looking for the missing.

Now, a local volunteer group and their canines will assist in their missions.

As Amy Yensi reports, it could help save lives.

The donated technology helps search crews complete their tasks. It also helps keep handlers and dogs safe.

A highly-trained canine and its handler can mean the difference between life and death for a missing person.

"What I'm going to do is go over everybody's map and go over a particular area I want you guys to search," a trainer said Wednesday during a demonstration of the technology.

Anne Arundel County Police often rely on the Chesapeake Search Dogs to solve critical missing cases.

The volunteer search and rescue crew are getting some much needed help in the form of new GPS dog collars and radios thanks to a $5,000 grant from BGE.

"These search dogs are the entire community's best friend, " said BGE spokesman Justin Mulcahy.

The grant is one of 65 that BGE made to nonprofit emergency response and public safety agencies in 10 Maryland counties and the city of Baltimore, the Associated Press reported.  Mulcahy said the grants totaled $325,000.

The GPS collar will tell handlers where their dog is at all times and what areas they have covered.

The handlers have been using bells to keep track of the dogs, who are hard to see in the dark or rainy weather.

"It will let me know on the GPS that I have here where he is, when I can't see or hear him," said Paula Brainard, of Chesapeake Search Dogs.

The new gear will keep the volunteers and dogs safe and on track.

"Time is of the essence. The longer they're out there the more danger they're in, specifically from the elements," said Anne Arundel County spokeswoman Cpl. Jacklyn Davis.

A valuable tool when every minutes counts.

The search team hopes to have the program up and running in two months.

Anne Arundel County currently has 5 search dogs and will certify 8 additional dogs in the upcoming months.