WBOC-TV 16, Delmarvas News Leader, FOX 21 - Local Rescue Group Needs Volunteers

Local Rescue Group Needs Volunteers

HARRINGTON- There are not enough volunteers to answer the call for help from police.

One area organization, the Delmarva Search and Rescue Group, is a volunteer force that has at its main goal that of finding missing persons.

"If someone goes missing like a child, an elderly patient maybe in a home that wanders off, even lost hunters we get," said Robert Fries of the DSRG.

The DSRG works systematically to find missing persons.

"The goal is to cross off areas on the map," Fries said. "Then we can go back to the search managers and say they were not in this area, they did not go through here. It really helps narrow the search."

The DSRG is made up of military, fire/rescue, medical/EMS, police/corrections and civilian trained responders. The big challenge the group is facing however, is a shortage of volunteers.

They are nationally trained and certified to help law enforcement agencies search for missing people.

But right now the group does not have enough manpower for a fast response time. Presently they respond to calls in about four hours. With more help the group could cut that down to one.

"It's important to the families that they get found especially in cold conditions like this," Fries said.

Fries said he is the only member in Delaware. The group has four members on Maryland's Eastern Shore.  His goal is to recruit at least 12 volunteers per region. 

"We can help the law enforcement agencies quickly find them (missing persons) and get them back...get them safe," Fries said.

In order to be a field responder, the group provides you with national training in ground searching and wildnerness medical skills. 

For more information about the group go to the DSRG's Web site featured at the left.