Editorial Board


Ian Greatbatch PhD – Editor-in-Chief

Dr Ian Greatbatch FRGS first became involved in Search & Rescue whilst working as a Ranger in the British countryside, locating lost people in nature reserves. At university he became involved in surf lifesaving and later became a lifeboat crewman for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. He is currently a tactical advisor to two SAR organisations, an advanced swiftwater rescue technician and a search controller. His PhD concerned the nature of prominence in mountain features, and he developed new techniques for measuring prominence in these features. He is currently working on a number of SAR-related research projects, in the disciplines of terrestrial, maritime and urban search and rescue (USAR). He is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a member of the editorial board of the The Cartographic Journal.

Robert Koester MS

Robert Koester first joined the Appalachian Search & Rescue Conference in 1981 and since then has participated in hundreds of searches, including over a hundred as Incident Commander responding to the mid-Atlantic region. He holds a MS and is currently a research associate at Kingston University in London. He became an EMT in 1980 and went onto to become a WEMT and medic. He served as a state SAR coordinator as a disaster reservist for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management along with continuing his service as a SAR instructor. His contributions to search and rescue include seminal research on lost person behavior (with an early emphasis on dementia) along with creating the International Search and Rescue Incident Database (ISRID), and past-president (15 years) of the Virginia Search and Rescue Council. Robert has also worked for the United States Coast Guard (conducting visual sweep width experiments), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (conducting missing aircraft radar research), National Park Service (responding to major searches and writing the draft NPS SAR Field Manual), Federal Emergency Management Agency (as an instructor), SAR Institute of New Zealand (conducting sound and light sweep width experiments), and Justice Institute of British Columbia (reviewing management texts). He is the CEO of dbS Productions which provides research, publications, and training services. Robert has authored numerous books and research articles on search and rescue, including Lost Person Behavior. He has presented internationally in nine different countries.

Robin Blandford BE

Engineer Robin Blandford is Director of ‘Decisions [D4H]’, a web-based emergency response team management tool which helps saves lives. Thousands of emergency responders use the system in more than 7 countries to perform analytics on their data to observe patterns & trends, determine prevention campaigns, manage training records to ensure safer responses, and receive real-time alerting on compliance and resources. The company was founded and remains deeply rooted in the rescue community. Robin is a Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician and operational Cliff Rescue & Casualty Recovery Climbing Instructor within the Irish Coast Guard.
Areas of interest:
Sea Cliff / Rope Rescue
• Maritime Rescue
• Technical Rescue
• Rescue Technology

Keith Gillespie ADFSc EMT-P

Keith Gillespie works full time as a Firefighter/Paramedic for the Albany Fire Department in Albany Oregon. He has been in the Northwest since 1979. On days off he can be found kayaking or rafting the Pacific Northwest Rivers. He has over 20 years’ experience in diving, river rescue, Emergency Medical Services, Firefighting, Hazardous Materials, Technical Rescue, Search and Rescue, and Whitewater Boating. He is committed to safety using progressive techniques and equipment while maintaining the high standards recognized in the rescue industry. Having spent time in the US ARMY and National Guard, Keith has had his share of experiences and training. As a graduate from the Chemeketa Firefighter training program along with EMT and HAZMAT training he began adding Rescue 3 training to his abilities. He has traveled throughout most of the United States and even a few parts of the world teaching.

Steve Glassey MEmergMgt PGCPM GCTSS FEPS CEM®

Steve Glassey founded the Journal of Search and Rescue to meet the need to have an international journal focused to meet the needs of practitioners and researchers involved in all disciplines of search and rescue. He was instrumental in establishing New Zealand’s national urban search and rescue programme (in particular training, search dog and response projects) and pioneering swiftwater rescue capability. He is Oceania’s longest serving Instructor Trainer for Rescue 3 International, and the former General Manager (Emergency Management) for the Ministry of Social Development, Assistant Director (Teaching) of the Joint Centre for Disaster Research at Massey University, a United Nations Disaster Management Officer, Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management USAR Advisor, Ambulance Rescue Technician/Duty Squad Leader and USAR Technician (NZ-TF1). He recently was the Associate Director of UCR3, a new academic Centre for Risk, Resilience and Renewal at the University of Canterbury (New Zealand) and Programme Director for Public Safety Studies. He holds a National Diploma in Adult Education & Training as well as NZQA National Certificates in Specialist Rescue (Rope Instructor), Urban Search & Rescue (Response Leader, Response Medic, Training, Rope Operations), Fire & Rescue Services, Occupational Safety & Health, Outdoor Recreation and Civil Defence Management. He is also the former Chair of the IAEM CEM Commission (Asia-Oceania) and in 2014 received the International Higgins & Langley Memorial Award in Swiftwater Rescue.
Areas of interest:
• Rope Rescue
• Swiftwater Rescue
• Technical Animal Rescue
• Canine Search & Rescue
• Urban Search and Rescue
• Disaster Communications
• Swiftwater Body Recovery
• Incident Management

Kay Goss MA CEM®

Kay C. Goss, CEM®, is an internationally active and recognized expert in all phases of emergency management and business continuity and serves as Senior Associate for the Booz Allen Hamilton strategy and technology firm’s Learning Team, supporting FEMA. She was recently inducted into the International Women in Emergency Management Hall of Fame during the recent IAEM Conference, is President of the Foundation for Accreditation in Emergency Management, and serves as a Visiting Professor at the University of Ulster in Belfast and the Istanbul Technical University, as well as the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. She served as the Associate FEMA Director for President Clinton for almost 8 years and before that served as his Senior Assistant for Emergency Management, Public Safety, Fire Service, and Emergency Medical Services for 12 years.

Daniel Graham LLB (Hons)

Dan Graham has been an instructor and practitioner in a variety of first aid and water rescue disciplines for 10 years, and shows no signs of stopping soon. He was an Associate Lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire on the Technical Rescue Instruction programme, and has lead some substantial programme improvements. Dan is currently studying for a Post Graduate Certificate in Learning & Teaching in Higher Education. In a volunteer capacity, he sits on the National Programmes and Development Committee for the Royal Life Saving Society (UK), and is involved in an advisory capacity on numerous smaller projects. In 2007 he co-founded The Nile Swimmers Project, a unique programme focused on multi-faceted approaches to reducing drowning deaths in developing countries – initially focusing in Sudan, and the wider Nile Basin. He has recently been elected to the Rescue Commission of the International Lifesaving Federation. In his (limited) spare time, Dan is an enthusiastic (but not very good) adventure racer – his recent achievements include completing the five day expedition race called the Adidas Terrex Sting in Stirling.
Areas of interest:
• Swiftwater & Flood Rescue
• Drowning Prevention
• Risk Management
• Rescue in Low and Middle Income Countries

Valerie Ingham BAdultEd MEd PhD

Dr Valerie Ingham joined Charles Sturt University in 2005, where she lectures in emergency management and coordinates the fire investigation program. Her PhD examined the somatic and aesthetic awareness of incident controllers in time pressured decision making. She is a founding member of the Bangladesh Australia Disaster Research Group and her research interests include perceptions of risk and resilience in Bangladeshi and Australian communities, and the tertiary education of Emergency Managers. Val is experienced in the design, development and delivery of programs in the disciplines of emergency management, fire services, adult education and community services.

David Johnson BS MPA PhD

With over 30 years experience in public safety, including years as a rescue instructor/practitioner, Assistant Professor David Johnson now teaches public safety as part of the Missouri State University MPA programme. He holds certifications as a fire officer, paramedic, hazardous materials technician, emergency management professional and 9-1-1 supervisor. He has held positions from fire fighter/paramedic up through Rescue Chief and Deputy Commander of a federal medical team. Professor Johnson’s research and teaching interests include public policy, public safety, and the use of information technology particularly in decision support and modeling. Dr. Johnson has published articles in several journals, including the International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters: International Journal of Emergency Management, Topics in Emergency Medicine, the Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management and the Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. In addition to publications he has been involved in decision support software development through the University of Pittsburgh.

Ian Manock MEmergMgt – Deputy Editor-in-Chief

Ian Manock started his working life as a pilot in the Royal Air Force. After service in the RAF, Ian joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force’s (RHKP) Marine Region, where he commanded a series of offshore patrol boats, the Region’s Small Boat Unit and then a Divisional Command vessel. During this period, amongst other maritime policing duties, he was responsible for Maritime Search and Rescue command and coordination duties within Hong Kong waters and the South China Sea. During this period Ian obtained his Hong Kong Local Master’s Certificate. After 12 years with the RHKP Ian returned to Australia and worked as a Regional Emergency Management Officer with the Tasmanian State Emergency Service (SES) for nine years. During this period Ian was responsible, amongst other emergency management duties, for training SES volunteers in a variety of Search and Rescue areas, including General Disaster Rescue, Land Search and Rescue, Vertical Rescue and Road Accident Rescue. During this period Ian also obtained and Associate Diploma in Emergency Management through the University of Tasmania and then a Bachelor of Social Science (Emergency Management) degree through Charles Sturt University (CSU). In 1999 Ian joined CSU as a Lecturer in their Emergency Management programs. He gained his Master’s degree in Emergency Management in 2002 and since then has coordinated the undergraduate and post-graduate degree courses in Emergency Management.

Mike Rose MA MEPS

Mike is the programme manager for the FdSc Rescue & Emergency Management course at Duchy College, part of Plymouth University in England. He is also a founding member and Chair of Cornwall search and rescue team. Mike served 30 years in the UK police service, specialising in search, search and rescue, emergency & contingency planning, major incident management at strategic, tactical and operational levels and disaster victim recovery and identification. He has also been the incident commander for a number of major incidents including crime, missing persons and for flooding and severe weather events over many years. During this time Mike was a Police search adviser (POLSA) and co-ordinator (POLSC) as well as missing person search manager. Mike was also the Chair of his multi-agency Local Resilience Forum search and rescue and mass fatalities sub groups and a member of the LRF’s strategic decision-making body – the Business Management Group. He is also a Full Member of the Emergency Planning Society and has just completed his Master’s degree with the subject of his research project being ‘How should UK land based SAR incidents be managed?
Areas of interest:
• Missing person search management
• Incident management
• Emergency Planning
• Business continuity
• Voluntary sector search and rescue

Brett C. Stofel BS JD

Brett serves as Vice-President and General Counsel for Emergency Response International (ERI). As a registered Patent Attorney his legal expertise centers on Intellectual Property and business law. In addition to his extensive outdoor experience, he flew the B-52 as an Aircraft Commander and the B-2 Stealth Bomber as a Mission Commander and Flight Instructor for the USAF. Brett also managed the Combat Search & Rescue and SERE programs at the Squadron and Group levels for the U.S. Air Force. Brett serves as an instructor in Lost Person Behavior, Global Survival, Search Management & Planning as well as Basic SAR Skills. He is an accomplished author, pilot, and certified Outdoor Emergency Care provider and Wilderness First Responder. As a volunteer in Chelan County, Brett regularly provides SAR training for volunteers and agency personnel at state & national conferences, is a member of the National Ski Patrol, and remains active with the Washington State Bar.

Wayne Severn PhD

Dr Wayne Severn was one of New Zealand’s first certified Urban Search & Rescue Canine Search Specialists and has acted in the role of USAR Search Specialist and Hazmat Advisor with New Zealand Task Force 1, he is also a member of the Upper Hutt Community Rescue. Wayne has been involved in search and rescue dog operations and training for over a decade through his associations with the NZ Search Dog Association and Central Search Dogs. He is committed to helping to provide search dog teams for integration into NZ USAR teams and uses his science background to advance canine scent theory and behaviour in the location of live human subjects in the urban and wilderness environments.

Editorial Coordinators

Andy MacAuley, PgCert MInSTR MCPara MICPEM – Additional Materials Editor

Andy is a 10-year veteran voluntary SAR responder in the UK, and has held roles across the board of local and national inland SAR provision. He was Chair of Trustees and Land SAR Lead at West Mercia Search & Rescue for 8 years. He is creator of the UK’s “Lowland Rescue” brand for inland non-mountainous SAR teams. He is founder of the “Home & Dry” water safety campaign across the West Midlands (UK). Andy is a Paramedic and Resuscitation Officer, working full time in the NHS. He is admin and content lead for the JSAR website.

Duncan Henry BA

Duncan Henry is a Training & Development Advisor with the New Zealand Fire Service National Headquarters. He has held previous roles at the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management, Joint Centre for Disaster Research and Victoria University of Wellington. He is a current USAR Technician (CATII) with New Zealand Task Force 1 and a member of the Tawa Volunteer Fire Brigade. He was deployed to the Christchurch (NZ, 2011) earthquake and Japan (2011) Tsunami with the New Zealand Fire Service. He is currently working on his Masters of Emergency Management and is particularly interested in the education of emergency services personnel in the basic sciences.

Elizabeth Barney MSc EMT

Elizabeth is currently working on a PhD in Spatial Epidemiology focusing on effects of disasters, at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. Her research interests include predictive spatial analysis of disaster/event outcomes and practice-based improvements for response to search and rescue events. She has an M.S. in Epidemiology focusing on spatial analysis and needs assessment.
Elizabeth has worked with Texas Task Force 1 – Urban Search and Rescue since 2008, and participates in several disciplines of Search/Rescue, specifically Urban Search and Rescue, Swift water Rescue and Wide Area Search.She is also a member of the Hillsboro All Hazards Incident Management Team. She is an EMT-Basic. Elizabeth has worked for both the Center for Biosecurity and Public Health Preparedness and the National Center for Emergency Medical Preparedness and Response as a training coordinator and course instructor. She has designed and taught courses at the University of Texas School of Public health including Disaster Epidemiology and Health of Displaced Populations.

Robert J. Rovetto, BA MA – Developer

Robert has served JSAR since 2016.  He has academic as well as maritime experiences, with special interest in maritime SAR, having trained in various marine safety groups globally. He currently helping create the nation water safety plan in the US, and has developed project concepts to contribute to the global water rescue community, such as boat crew study guides, visual quick-reference boat specifications, a SAR bibliography, and research articles. He has 20 publications, mostly on metadata and knowledge modeling. He holds a merchant mariner credential (USA), and past personal watercraft rescue operator cert (EU).  Employment and volunteer experience includes boat crew and small-boat operator service. His training in coast guards, lifeboat groups, and professional courses, gives him international experience and knowledge of various SAR systems and training schemes.  He is open to collaborative partnerships. He is actively seeking opportunities, worldwide, to join a maritime SAR team or org., toward a life serving on rescueboats and in SAR offices.
Contact:  robertjohnrovetto[at]gmail[dot]com