Mark Stigar of MatSAR (matsaralaska.org/) and his SAR K9, Lyra, returned to Kodiak to teach their second SAR Academy course, a 4-day, Alaska-focused, search and rescue curriculum. It is a broad and thorough introduction to SAR operations and skills based on ASTM standards (astm.org). Mark brings decades of professional SAR and rotary aircraft experience which adds context and color to the excellent course materials. The K9, Lyra, was a joy to work with and impressed us with her training and excellent nose. The KISAR members in attendance were a mix of new folks and old hands and everyone gained valuable knowledge in all aspects of search theory, management, field deployment, and medical response in both urban and wildland environments.

A huge thanks to Mark and his wife, and Lyra for giving us so much of their time and expertise to make KISAR a more effective organization in emergency response for the Kodiak community.