Why SAR34 exists, and what it's working toward.
"To educate and advocate for the next generation of search and rescue professionals, while supporting current resources."
Each day nearly 2,300 people go missing in the U.S. The network that supports search efforts is often dependent on volunteers who dedicate their time to help find the lost and the missing. We need a robust pipeline of resources ready to respond to the mission when they are called upon. SAR34 was founded to help facilitate the education and certification process, providing clear, accessible training content for people entering the field, while supporting current resources in their continued effort to serve the mission.
Nathan Robb is an experienced search and rescue volunteer and executive leader with a strong commitment to public service and professional standards in the SAR community. He has served as a SAR manager and K9 handler with Chesapeake Search Dogs since 2016, where he also holds the role of Communications Director and previously served as Flanker Coordinator. His operational deployments span Maryland, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, Delaware, Alabama, and Western North Carolina, in collaboration with local law enforcement, FEMA, and the FBI.
Nathan is a NASAR Instructor and Lead Evaluator for SARTECH II and K9 SARTECH II & III certifications, training and credentialing SAR teams nationwide. He is also certified as a SAR Manager, SARTECH I, K9 SARTECH III, and a Wilderness First Responder. He serves as Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator for the ARRL Maryland/D.C. section, coordinating regional disaster communications and supporting training exercises, and is on the ASTM committee for setting search and rescue standards.
Professionally, Nathan was a Vice President and Regional Director at Merritt Properties, bringing over two decades of experience in problem solving, team building, and strategic growth. He has also served in nonprofit board leadership, including as Board Chair of the U.S. Green Building Council – Maryland Chapter, helping lead strategic planning and membership expansion.
Nathan holds an MBA from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, along with degrees in architecture and sustainable design. He is passionate about serving the mission to find the lost and the missing through continued response to SAR missions. Nathan has had two Golden Retrievers certified as Area NSD K9s: Designer Goldens Fitzgerald the Great CGC SAR-W, and WM Farms Seagram Van Der Robb CGC TKN SAR-W. Nate lives in Federal Hill with his wife Sally, K9s Watson and Broccoli, his cat Farnsworth, and turtle Bob. In his spare time, Nate enjoys the outdoors, traveling, and most all forms of art.
Certified by NASAR to lead SAR Tech evaluations and teach official coursework, training and credentialing SAR teams nationwide.
NASAR's highest field-level SAR Tech certification, covering advanced land search skills, navigation, and survival.
Certified canine handler/dog team qualification for Area (air-scent) search operations, levels II and III.
Certified in planning, organizing, and directing search and rescue operations and resources in the field.
Backcountry medical certification for assessing and managing injuries and illness in remote, austere environments.
Serves on the ASTM committee that sets national search and rescue standards.
Trained through AIA's Safety Assessment Program to evaluate building safety after disasters.
Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator for the ARRL Maryland/D.C. section, coordinating regional disaster communications.
