Monday, November 17, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO – November 17, 2008 – Weber Shandwick Northern California announced today it has made a commitment to help strengthen America’s disaster response network by providing pro-bono public relations support to the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF), a non-profit organization that trains the most highly-certified canine-firefighter disaster search teams in the nation. Weber Shandwick’s efforts will help raise awareness about the importance of SDF and further the goal of expanding the number of trained search teams to ensure that no one is left behind when a national disaster strikes - currently a critical gap in America’s emergency response network.
"We are very excited that Weber Shandwick is partnering with the Search Dog Foundation to help us raise awareness of SDF and the work we do, as well as support our fundraising goal of $15 million to build the nation’s first-ever National Training Center in Santa Paula, California," said Wilma Melville, founder and president of SDF. "The facility will be open to all emergency service agencies in the U.S., training new teams and featuring unique advanced search set-ups for existing teams that simulate what occurs during actual deployments, including deep-victim scenarios, collapsed structures, mudslides, and rubble piles. The Center will also be made available to Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) for certification testing—a requirement before teams can deploy.”
“We are thrilled with the opportunity to support the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation. Weber Shandwick will help SDF tell its story and communicate its mission of strengthening emergency preparedness in this country by helping rescued dogs, once abused and abandoned, enter the ranks of the most highly trained search dogs in the nation, ultimately providing a critical, life-saving resource to our nation,” said Robert Dowling, executive vice president and general manager Weber Shandwick Northern California. “We look forward to seeing the SDF grow as an organization dedicated to providing this critical service to those in time of need.”
Established in 1996, SDF fulfills a crucial role in America’s emergency response network by producing highly-trained search and rescue dog teams dedicated to finding people buried alive in the aftermath of disasters, ranging from earthquakes and mudslides to collapsed buildings, such as operating in the rubble of the World Trade Center after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Currently, the United States requires approximately 450 canine disaster search teams to be adequately prepared to respond to such disasters. Right now, there are only half that many, with experienced teams retiring every year.
The Bay Area is home to five national disaster dog handler teams and prepare for possible deployment twice weekly by training in rubble piles that simulate what they will encounter during an actual disaster. Dog teams also practice advanced search skills, with set-ups for deep victim search, collapsed structures, mudslides and large-area search.
Weber Shandwick has a heritage as one of the pioneer PR agencies in “The Valley.” With offices in San Francisco and Silicon Valley (Sunnyvale), Weber Shandwick in Northern California provides public relations counsel and services to companies in the technology, corporate, consumer and healthcare/life sciences markets. As the area’s leading communications consultancy, Weber Shandwick demonstrates excellence in communications for companies of all sizes – from multinational industry leaders to emerging market innovators.
About The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF)The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF) is a national, 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to strengthen America’s disaster response network by producing the most highly trained canine disaster search teams in the nation. The organization recruits rescued dogs and partners them with firefighters, providing the canines and the training at no cost to their departments. SDF receives no government funding, and relies solely on support from individuals, private foundations and companies to produce the teams.
www.searchdogfoundation.org
About Weber ShandwickWeber Shandwick is a leading global public relations agency with offices in over 79 markets around the world. The firm’s reputation is built on its deep commitment to client service, creativity, collaboration and harnessing the power of Advocates - engaging stakeholders in new and creative ways to build brands and reputation. Weber Shandwick provides strategy and execution across world-class practices such as consumer marketing, healthcare, technology, public affairs, corporate/financial and crisis management. Its specialized services include digital/social media, advertising, market research, and corporate responsibility. Weber Shandwick received the highest client-satisfaction honors in the 2007 Agency Excellence Survey by
PRWeek U.S., in 2008 won Large PR Firm of the Year (
PR News U.S.), and in 2006 was named European Consultancy of the Year (
The Holmes Report) and Network of the Year (Asia Pacific PR Awards). The firm also won the United Nations Grand Award for Outstanding Achievement in Public Relations for the past three years. Weber Shandwick is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit
http://www.webershandwick.com/.