LONG BEACH, CALIF. -- AT&T today announced a $10,000 grant to the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (NDSDF) to help support training for search and rescue dogs to recover people lost or trapped due to a disaster.
The grant is being made in conjunction with a two-day AT&T Network Disaster Recovery exercise that begins today in Long Beach. The exercise is designed to test and evaluate how well the company responds to a simulated disaster that "destroys" critical Southern California communications infrastructure.
"We are committed to supporting disaster response efforts and pleased to recognize the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation and the critical role they play," said Judi Hand, AT&T President of Enterprise Sales. "While AT&T focuses on restoring networking technologies that are critical to emergency communications and business continuity, NDSDF focuses on finding and rescuing people -- which is the absolute highest priority for any community after a catastrophic event. It's a very complementary partnership."
"AT&T's donation will help us provide additional canine search teams to the State of California, which currently has 38 SDF teams," said Wilma Melville, Founder and Director of NDSDF. "With an increased number of teams available for deployment, California will be better prepared for a quick response to earthquakes and other natural or manmade disasters."
The grant will be presented to two search and rescue teams based in Southern California: Debra Tosch, NDSDF Program Director/Trainer, with partner Abby; and Ron Weckbacher, NDSDF Board Member/Handler with partner Manny. Both teams were deployed in the aftermath of 9/11, and are considered to be among the top search and rescue teams in the nation. The formal presentation will take place tomorrow at an AT&T Networking Leaders' Forum at the Hyatt Regency in Long Beach.
AT&T maintains the industry's only mobile, full-readiness network disaster recovery team consisting of more than 100 managers, engineers and technicians, as well as a fleet of more than 150 self-contained equipment-trailers and support vehicles. For more information, visit the AT&T NDR online press kit at: www.att.com/presskit/ndr
About the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (NDSDF)
The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to prepare rescue dogs and partner them with firefighters to become the most highly trained canine search teams in the nation. The Foundation is responsible for training over 40% of all of the nation's Advanced FEMA canine search teams and 80% of the State of California's. Website: www.SearchDogsUSA.org or call 1-888-4K9-HERO.
About AT&T
For more than 125 years, AT&T (NYSE "T") has been known for unparalleled quality and reliability in communications. Backed by the research and development capabilities of AT&T Labs, the company is a global leader in local, long distance, Internet and transaction-based voice and data services.
