Click to enlarge
Mark Allen with Operational Air Scenting Search Dog Koda

Media Release for immediate use 24 April 2009

K-9 Koda Keeps Community Safe

The Waitaki’s very own wonder dog ‘Koda’ is being kitted-out with essential search and rescue gear to help him and his trainer Mark Allen on their central South Island searches thanks to the Meridian Waitaki Community Fund.

Koda, an Operational Air Scenting Search Dog, is one of ten community-led initiatives to receive a share of more than $80,000 in the latest round of funding from the Meridian Waitaki Community Fund.

Mark Allen says the new equipment, including an electronic mapping system, locater beacon and an all-weather tent, will enable a more immediate response when they are called on to search vast areas.

“The new equipment will greatly increase our effectiveness. The electronic mapping system provides faster and more accurate details of potential search areas. This means we can respond to emergency situations faster - and speed is vital when we are dealing with life and death situations,” he says.

“The new equipment also enables us to record search areas for police, so we can tell quickly which areas have been covered. Most handlers are volunteers and have to self fund the purchase of rescue equipment, so we are grateful for the support from the Meridian Waitaki Community Fund,” he added.

Koda and Mark also received funding for a GPS Personal Locator Beacon and lightweight all-weather tent, which will help ensure their safety when they are on rescue missions.

“The locator beacon is a vital piece of equipment for a Land Search and Rescue team because we are often out in dangerous conditions. The tent will also ensure we have adequate shelter if we become stranded or are required to stay out in the field for a number of days, which is often the case,” says Mark Allen.

Click to enlarge
Mark Allen with Operational Air Scenting Search Dog Koda

Mark and Koda are required to undertake extensive training and develop advance Search and Rescue skills. Koda is one of just four operations air scenting dogs in the South Island.
Meridian’s Mark France, Chair of the Waitaki Community Fund, says the panel is very pleased it can support so many worthwhile initiatives in the latest round of funding.

“The panel is thrilled to be able to support so many valuable initiatives that will have a positive impact in the Waitaki community. The funding to purchase vital search and rescue equipment to Koda and his handler is exactly the kind of the initiative the fund was created to support. The Waitaki community is lucky to have Koda and Mark as part of the New Zealand Land Search and Rescue team,” he says.

The other organisations to receive funding are the Lake Tekapo Ice Skating Club, Ohau Conservation Trust, Omarama Aviation Club Incorporated, St John Twizel Mount Cook Area Committee, Twizel Marae Committee, Twizel Outdoor Bowling Club Incorporated, Waitaki Valley Rescue Trust, the Kurow Memorial Hall Society Incorporated and the Kurow Bowling Club.

The Meridian Waitaki Community Fund is to the value of $1 million over three years and is managed by a panel of community members and Meridian staff, who work together to help decide which local initiatives are supported.

To find out more about the Meridian Waitaki Community Fund visit www.meridian.co.nz /aboutus/

Applications for consideration in the next round must be submitted by 2 June 2009

Latest Meridian Waitaki Community Fund recipients

Operational Air Scenting Search Dog
$2,259.99 granted to purchase essential equipment required for rescues in the Central South Island with Search and Rescue dog ‘Koda’.

Ohau Conservation Trust
$12,500 granted to enable the completion of phase two of the Trust’s project to control lupin and briar along 2.5 km of the southern shoreline of Lake Ohau.

Omarama Aviation Club Incorporated
$14,000 granted to contribute to the engine overhaul of the Club aircraft as required by new Civil Aviation rules.

St John Twizel Mount Cook Area Committee
$10,894.51 granted to assist with the purchase of an Iridium Satellite Phone and a Defibrillator for the first response vehicle.

Twizel Marae Committee
$21,238.13 granted to assist with to assist with renovating the Te Whare Mahana Marae so it becomes a lively place of learning and cultural activity.

Twizel Outdoor Bowling Club Incorporated
$4,788.57 granted to assist with the purchase of irrigation sprinkler heads, a lawnmower and the replacement of the edging of the bowling green.

Waitaki Valley Rescue Trust
$5,287.50 granted to assist with the purchase of a Vital Signs Unit and an AED defibrillator.

Kurow Memorial Hall Society Incorporated
$2,500 granted to contribute to the Kurow Memorial Hall garden redevelopment project.

Kurow Bowling Club
$5,724.05 granted to enable the purchase of a lawnmower and commercial dishwasher to ensure the sustainability of this community resource.

Lake Tekapo Ice Skating Club
$2,000 granted to enable the provision of figure skating coaching in the 2009 year.

ENDS

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