Deployment exercise in the MARNEWAARD organized by OSD in collaboration with DELTA and INSED.

On October 4th, a search operation took place in the MARNEWAARD region, organized by OSD in collaboration with DELTA and INSED.

We launched this broad SRO deployment exercise after a report of the “Zuidwal volcano,” which was now visible in the Wadden Sea… a harbinger of an impending eruption. The residents of a small village in the Marnewaard region had been asked to leave their homes as a precaution. However, about 20 villagers refused to be evacuated and hid in the surrounding area. The mayor requested assistance from the SRO to safely locate and evacuate them.

The deployment exercise covered a 304-hectare search area: the village in the Marnewaard region, the surrounding fields and woods.

The 11 rescue dog teams, with 90 participants and 72 search dogs, were assigned to various search areas using the CalTopo program. The RHWW coordinated the entire operation from the CP (command post).

At the end of the day, the news arrived that all 20 missing people had been found!

In total, all teams covered 395 km of tracks. An area the size of 500 football fields was searched, which is a fantastic achievement! It was a wonderful and educational day for everyone.

Thanks to all SRO members (Collaborative Rescue Dog Organization) for their tremendous efforts.

Together we stand strong.