K9/Drone Search and Rescue Strike Team

03/13/2026

On March 10, two SRST members from Lockport Township Fire Protection District and their K9 partners, responded down to Kankakee and Aroma Park as part of the muli-division MABAS-Illinois mutual aid response to assist with search and rescue operations in the aftermath of severe storms and a damaging EF-3 tornado. Many of our team members are part of their department's divisional Technical Rescue Teams, in addition to their responsibilities on the Search and Rescue Strike Team. If needed, our boots on the ground would request additional SRST units, but luckily, there was not significant injuries and/or missing people. Event's like these highlight why we train so often and so hard to always be prepared when disaster strikes.

03/10/2026

First round of severe spring storms are upon us. Please take preparation seriously.

Event's like this are what we train for weekly. Our team is always ready.

[12:12 PM CDT Tuesday 3/10/2026]

The NOAA NWS Storm Prediction Center has upgraded a portion of the area to a threat level 4/5 (Moderate Risk) for severe storms later today into this evening, shaded in red on the map, which is for areas primarily south of I-80.

Within the level 4/5 area, the main concerns include damaging tornadoes (potentially strong) and/or destructive hail >=2" in diameter.

Given the current southwestward progression of a lake enhanced cold front, it still appears that areas farther northeast in the level 4/5 (moderate risk) are more likely to have a significant hail threat vs. a significant tornado threat. As we continue to assess the progress of the front and where it ultimately stalls this afternoon, we'll be able to better refine the area of greatest concern for damaging tornadoes.

Within the level 3/5 (Enhanced Risk) area, particularly areas north of the level 4/5, the main concern is for damaging to potentially destructive hail, with localized wind damage also a possibility.

To read the text of the outlook discussion, go to: https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day1otlk.html

12/29/2025

Thank you RED Center for representing our team. Way to take home the win, thanks for all you do for us.

11/12/2025

Please join us in congratulating our incredible team members and their K9 partners!

Today these hardworking teams successfully completed their NAPWDA certifications, showing outstanding skill, dedication, and teamwork.

They earned certifications in:
🐾 Trailing
🐾 Tracking
🐾 Wide Area Search
🐾 Building Search
🐾 Obedience
🐾 Article Search

We couldn’t be more proud of the effort and commitment each team puts into training to better serve our communities. Great job, everyone!

Hillside Fire Department
Lockport Township Fire Protection District
Roselle Fire Department
Romeoville Fire Department
New Lenox Fire District

10/31/2025

A big thank you goes out once again to Richardson "World's Largest" Corn Maze for having us out to train this week. We have used the farm several times, and continue to come up with more realistic and challenging training scenarios for our team.

The SRST trains twice a month and utilizes real locations to hone in our search and rescue skills.

Fun fact... One of our drone operators family own the farm.

10/29/2025

🚨🚨Deployment 🚨🚨

Last night, the SRST was requested by the Wilmette Police Department to assist in locating a missing juvenile.

First-arriving units gathered intelligence and developed a search plan. K9 Roy from the Romeoville Fire Department initiated a track from the individual’s residence, following the scent trail through the neighborhood and out to a main road.

Multiple drones were deployed to search parks, open areas and the train railways while also providing aerial coverage for Roy and his handler. Ground units checked open businesses, canvassed the area, and spoke with neighbors.

A command post was established to coordinate search efforts among the team, police, and local volunteers. K9 Thor from the West Chicago Fire Department later arrived and was rotated in for Roy. Thor tracked south along the main road, working through alleys and smaller spaces. After several miles, Roy and Thor switched out again, with Roy continuing the track south. An addition K9 team from Hillside Fire Department showed up and was put in staging for another switch out if needed.

Throughout the operation, ground units continued checking businesses along the track. A few miles into the search, police were notified that the juvenile had been located safely several miles ahead of the K9 teams.

This successful outcome is a true testament to the collaboration and dedication of multiple agencies—an all-hands-on-deck effort that led to a safe and positive resolution for the community.

Command from Glenview Fire Department, Romeoville Fire Department, and Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District.

Drone teams from West Chicago Fire Protection District, Glenview, Tinley Park Fire Department Firefighter's Association and Niles Fire Department.

K9 teams from Village of Romeoville, West Chicago, Hillside Fire Department and Lockport Township Fire Protection District

09/22/2025

Just because we have been quiet on social media for the summer, doesn't mean we haven't been busy !
We've been requested to assist in locating missing people by the Village of Orland Park, Illinois - Government, City of McHenry, Village of Wilmette, City of Lake Forest - Government, Village of Riverwoods, Glenview Police Department, Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Village of Vernon Hills - Government, Village of Lindenhurst. Between call outs and training, the team has not stopped! While most of the team is not looking forward to the cold weather, the dogs certainly are!

06/26/2025

SRST resources have had a busy few days! Member agencies were requested by both the Fox Lake Police Department and Orland Park Police Department to assist in the search for missing people. Multiple resources deployed to both incidents. As you can see, our team is available to assist agencies all across the greater Chicagoland Area 24/7 - 365!

Village of Fox Lake
Orland Park Police Department
Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District
Romeoville Fire Department
Village of Tinley Park Public Safety
Lockport Township Fire Protection District
Glenview Fire Department
New Lenox Fire District
Hillside Fire Department
Niles Fire Department
Roselle Fire Department

A man is found safe after being reported missing in Fox Lake.

06/07/2025

Celebrating Success! 🎉

Today, two of our teams—Mike Vitale and Koda, and Jenn Reidle and Ember—completed their Type 1 Live Find certification, while Nick Felber and Waffles successfully recertified, ensuring their skills remain razor-sharp and mission-ready! These certifications are a testament to the dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to excellence that our team brings to every mission. Great job, teams!

Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District
Roselle Fire Department
Lockport Township Fire Protection District

Congratulations to IL-TF1 canine teams Mike Vitale & Koda with the Lincolnshire Riverwoods Fire Protection District, Jen Reidle & Ember with the Roselle Fire Department on obtaining their Type 1 Live Find Disaster Canine certifications. Also congrats to handler Nick Felber & Waffles with the Lockport Fire Protection District on re-certifying their Type 1 Live Find certification. Thanks for all the hard work and dedication training for certification.

05/12/2025

Tomorrow, May 13, a Search & Rescue Strike Team training will take place in Roselle from about 9:00a.m. and 3:00p.m. Residents should expect to see various Fire and Police departments, K9 handlers, and drones throughout the training area, east of Roselle Road. Please contact the Roselle Fire Department (RFD) with any questions.

RFD’s K9 Ember and Handler Reidle get called out twice per month on average to assist with searches. Training drills like these help Search & Rescue Strike Team members keep their skills ready for real incidents.

05/05/2025

Earlier this evening, the K9/Drone Search and Rescue Strike Team responded to Hanover Park to assist in locating a missing person. With K9 teams, drone operators, and command staff en route, resources were quickly in place and put to work. Thanks to the fast, coordinated response with local agencies, the individual was safely found and reunited with their loved ones.

Hillside Fire Department West Chicago Fire Protection District Tinley Park Fire Department Firefighter's Association Glenview Fire Department Roselle Fire Department Niles Fire Department RED Center

05/02/2025

In the last 10 days, our team has been requested five times by different agencies. Some searches were called off while we were en route—thanks to the fast work of others—but in every case, the missing subject was found and reunited with their loved ones.

Whether it was drones scanning from above, K9s tracking on the ground, or our command staff coordinating with local agencies, our team rolled out ready to help.

Every drill, every training, every detail—it’s all so we’re ready when it matters the most.