Thus far in the search, the teams have not been searching in cultivated fields for several reasons, princaipally because we wanted to avoid damaging crops and we felt there was a lower probability that Brandon was located in a field. However, while reviewing the results of the search developed so far, it was clear that there was little left to search in our high - priority area other than the fields. We could no longer ignore the fact that it is possible that Brandon's body was located in a field, especially if he wandered into a field that had already been planted.
The management team attempted to contact every landowner in the area in question to ask several pertinent questions and secure permission to search their fields.
We want to thank all the landowners who allowed us on their property. We understand your concerns.
We first searched along the permimeter, we did not search ay further. This was the case on the majority of search missions. We ended up detail-searching only a few corn fields. Again, multiple areas of interest but no remains were found.
Unfortunately, several factors were working against us at this time in the search. We were unable to contact a few landowners and were therefore unable to search a few high-priority areas. Both the dogs and human team members tire quickly in the summer heat, so we had to start our search efforts very early in the morning. The constant winds make it difficult to pinpoint the source of the scent. And finally, the vegetation has grown to a point where it is over the dogs' (and sometimes the handlers') heads and this makes the team considerably less effective.
For these reasons, we have decided to temporarily suspend the search. We will resume again after the crops are out of the fields and the scent conditions improve.
Thank you again for your help and patience during this very difficult search.
June 13-14th Search Notes
Four HRD canine teams participated in this weekend's search efforts. We searched areas just northwest and west of Porter. Now that we believe we have finally narrowed the search area to under ten square miles, we are beginning to systematically detail -search these areas. Shelter-belts around farmsteads, creeks, ditches, and CRP land were all throroughly searched. We are now attempting to search areas in question throughly enough that we can eleminate them from further consideration. The canines again showed multiple areas of strong interest in the area.
It is clear that the constant strong winds in the region are blowing scent around and continuing to make it difficult to quickly narrow the search area. We will continue to systematically detail -search the area in question.
It is clear that the constant strong winds in the region are blowing scent around and continuing to make it difficult to quickly narrow the search area. We will continue to systematically detail -search the area in question.
June 6th Search:
We had a single HRD canine team come down on Saturday for a search. The team followed up on the previous weekend's results. While it rained throughout the day, the team had a productive search and came up with additional areas of interest. These results support the belief that we are in the right area.
Search Report for May 30th & 31st
We had another strong search effort this weekend. 7 HRD canines and 28 people were involved in the search. The search plan included three areas: 1) The region to the north and east of the Last Know Position (his car) (Region B). The area had received very little searching to date. While we don't have any clues leading to this area, we searched it at the request of the Yellow Medicine County Sheriff to exclude it from further consideration. 2) Several sections along the norther border of Lincoln County to follow up on clues established May 16 - 18. 3) A detailed search of the area around Mud Creek where the canines showed so much interest previously.
Our results: Approximately 11 square miles of Region B was searched. There were no areas of significant interest in the region. There were no areas of interest in Lincoln County. We were able to effectively rule out the possibility that Brandon is located in Mud Creek in the area of question north of Porter. However, we obtained multiple areas of strong interest to the west and south of Mud Creek.
The search conditions were good on Saturday. On Sunday, the strong south winds made interpreting the canines' results challenging. We believe we are narrowing down the search area.
A note from the Search Manager
In most searches, especially large ones such as this, searchers need to physically search private property. We couldn't complete the search without doing so, since most of the land in the region is private property. While we operate under the jurisdiction of the local Sheriff, we have no more right to trespass on private property than the average citizen. We depend on the goodwill of local landowners to do our job.
Most of the time, the Sheriff's Office assists us in notifying landowners and obtaining their permission prior to each search effort. However, that is not always possible to do ahead of time because search plans can change due to a number of variables such as resources available, weather conditions, and clueds developed. In these cases, the search teams are instructed to obtain permission just prior to their search mission. Sometimes this is difficult, because it is not always easy to find out who owns the land we want to search. But we try our best.
I want to reassure the landowners in Lincoln, Lyon and Yellow Medicine Counties that we have been and will continue to do our best to obtain permission prior to searching and to protect their property. We use experienced teams that have been trained to protect property. They know to leave gates as they are found, how to cross fence lines without damaging them, and to avoid walking in planted fields. (If they absolutely must cross a short section of field, they know not to step on the plants.) While the dogs are usually worked off leash, they are always under the control of the handler, especially around livestock. The teams are also reminded of these practices at each morning briefing.
We will continue these practices throughout the duration of the search. If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact me at 612-708-2996 or your local Sheriff's Office.
Jeff Hasse
Search Manager
Most of the time, the Sheriff's Office assists us in notifying landowners and obtaining their permission prior to each search effort. However, that is not always possible to do ahead of time because search plans can change due to a number of variables such as resources available, weather conditions, and clueds developed. In these cases, the search teams are instructed to obtain permission just prior to their search mission. Sometimes this is difficult, because it is not always easy to find out who owns the land we want to search. But we try our best.
I want to reassure the landowners in Lincoln, Lyon and Yellow Medicine Counties that we have been and will continue to do our best to obtain permission prior to searching and to protect their property. We use experienced teams that have been trained to protect property. They know to leave gates as they are found, how to cross fence lines without damaging them, and to avoid walking in planted fields. (If they absolutely must cross a short section of field, they know not to step on the plants.) While the dogs are usually worked off leash, they are always under the control of the handler, especially around livestock. The teams are also reminded of these practices at each morning briefing.
We will continue these practices throughout the duration of the search. If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact me at 612-708-2996 or your local Sheriff's Office.
Jeff Hasse
Search Manager
SCHWANS Truck Fundraiser
The Schwans Truck Sale Fundraiser is approaching this Saturday, May 30th.
Schwans' will have a truck in the Marshall MN Walmart parking lot and the Balaton MN Public School Parking lot from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. All you do is stop by the truck and purchase items directly from the sales / driver. But, if you can't make it to the truck you can call Schwan's directly and purchase gift certificates to be used at a later date or even sent as a gift. To order a gift certificate call 1-888-413-0003 and select option 2 up to May 30th. Inform the Schwan's representative you would like to support the Brandon Swanson Fundraiser. Give them the Campaign ID of either 20863 or 20864. Gift Certificates are available in denominations of $5, $10 and $25. Girft Certificates will be mailed to the address of your choice with a message thanking you for supporting Brandon's search.
SEARCH NOTES - May 16 - 18
We had a strong showing of canine teams this weekend. 25 people and 8 HRD canines participated in the search efforts, including four canine teams from Florida. The teams covered parts of 31 square miles during the weekend, so a lot of area was excluded. The canines displayed some interest in areas west of Porter, which appeared to be scent borne in on the wind. The strongest area of interest was north of Porter, which appears to be water borne scent.
We were also able to establish a band of area around the area of previous canine clues where no
canine interest was present. The area of negative interest is an important development. Previously, every time we expanded the search, we came up with additional areas of interest. This made it difficult to determine the boundaries of scent (and consequently, the limits of our search area). We hope that this development will help us narrow our search efforts.
Search Reports:
April 25th Search:
A single canine team (four people) conducted several search missions on April 25th. The search plan was to cut for scent north and east of the previous areas of interest. The canine showed mild interest in a couple locations, but no remains were found. Rain prevented a search on April 26th.
April 4th Search:
18 searchers from six SAR organizations met on the weekend of April 4th for another search. Three HRD canines were involved in the search. The teams conducted searches in areas north of Porter. Multiple areas of canine interest were found in the area, principally along Mud Creek. Two ground teams visually searched along Mud Creek. No remains were found. The teams were forced to go home on Saturday evening due to the snowstorm that moved into the area Saturday evening.
A NOTE FROM THE SEARCH MANAGER:
When a search goes on as long as the search for Brandon has, many people experience considerable frustration that he hasn't been found yet. This is natural. We all want this search to be concluded. I believe that part of this frustration lies in how search efforts are often reported in the media. We often see or hear; "A search was conducted today by.... and nothing was found." This is an extremely misleading conclusion. Trained searchers think of our efforts differently.
The statistical boundary for this search gives us a search area of nearly 100 square miles. This is a lot of terrain to cover. There is a standard set of methods we use to establish a list of search priorities (which I explained in detail at the community meeting in March). Once established, we systematically search those areas. Each time we search with canines, we either come up with areas of canine interest or we do not. In fact, on this search, we have always had some results from the canines. These are important clues and they continually guide the next search efforts. And when a canine doesn't show any interest, this is also an important clue, because it helps establish where Brandon is not. In every search, we obtain important data. This understanding keeps us from becoming too frustrated. I hope it helps you too.
Jeff Hasse, Search Manager
Frequent Flyer Miles
To donate frequent flyer miles towards the search effort please visit
http://www.nwa.com/worldperks/buymiles.shtml The program allows WorldPerks members to transfer their miles. Please visit the site for details regarding the procedures and guidelines. The site will prompt you to enter the WorldPerks account number and name of the individual you wish to transfer to.
http://www.nwa.com/worldperks/buymiles.shtml The program allows WorldPerks members to transfer their miles. Please visit the site for details regarding the procedures and guidelines. The site will prompt you to enter the WorldPerks account number and name of the individual you wish to transfer to.
Northwest WorldPerks Account Number 100509138402
Account Name: Brian Victor Swanson
Air Transportation will solely be used for Search Efforts in the transportation of search team members and/or search dogs.
April 4th & 5th
The search notes for April 4th & 5th will be posted soon.
Our thoughts are with the family of Daniel Zamlen who has been missing since early April.
Our thoughts are with the family of Daniel Zamlen who has been missing since early April.
March 21 & 22nd Search Notes
*The search was conducted under the direction of Jeff Hasse as Search Manager.
Major Paul Pieper of the Civil Air Patrol was the Deputy Search Manager.
Major Paul Pieper of the Civil Air Patrol was the Deputy Search Manager.
*19 trained searchers participated in the search on Saturday, 15 on Sunday.
5 Human Remains Detection teams searched Saturday, 4 teams on Sunday.
5 Human Remains Detection teams searched Saturday, 4 teams on Sunday.
*The search plan was based on the reconstruction and analysis conducted during the winter months and focused on following up on previous canine clues, Search missions were conducted in approximately 12 square miles between Porter and Canby.
* Search conditions were very good throughout most of the weekend other than muddy footing.
The search was discontinued at about 5 p.m. on Sunday due to high winds and rain.
*The canines showed significant interest in several areas. These areas are consistent with previous canine clues. However, the teams were not yet able to pinpoint Brandon's location.
*The search will continue at a date not yet established.
Meeting Notes from March 20th
About 25 people attended the Informational Meeting on Friday, March 20th. The Search Manager, Jeff Hasse led the presentation. He is the current Vice-President of Search, Rescue and Recovery Services of Minnesota (SRRM). He is also President of Midwest Technical Rescue Training Associates, and a Director of The Jon Francis Foundation, all which provide SAR services. The SRRRMN teams work together and act as a single team. These teams work for the Sheriff Departments (primarily Sheriffs Vizecky and Flaten). The also work very closely with Brandon's family.
No one is being paid for his or her help. The hundreds of hours provided by the search and management teams are all volunteer time. Over 300 hours alone were spent on the reconstruction and analysis of the search.
While the team services are free of charge, lengthy searches such as this become costly to searchers.
For this reason, Brandon's family is raising funds to help defray the searchers direct expenses, (gas, food, lodging). have put many hours into compiling all of the data available from the previous searches.
INFORMATION AT THE MEETING
The team of SRRMN members spent the winter months reconstructing and analyzing the previous search efforts which Jeff Hasse presented. He explained that there are only two reasons why Brandon hasn't been found yet:
1. He isn't in any of the areas that have been searched.
2. Or, he was in the search area but missed.
Both are common problems in many searches and are dealt with in modern search theories. Mr. Hasse then explained the well established methods of determining the overall search area, which is nearly 100 square miles. He also went over the process by which the search was reconstructed and analyzed by a team which resulted in a list of initial search priorities.
While the success of the a search is dependent on many variables, balancing efficiency with effectiveness is critical. All Search Managers have to answer two fundamental questions on every search: Where do we search? Meaning, we have to establish a relative priority for each search segment called its Probability of area. And, how do we search? Or, how do we maximize our ability to find the subject - in other words, improve our Probability of Detection for each search segment? Finally, Mr. Hasse reassured the audience that this is still a search that can be resolved successfully and the searchers are optimistic that we will get this done sooner rather than later.
PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING MARCH 20th, 2009 @ 7 p.m.
You are invited to an informational session.
Many of you have shown tremendous dedication to Brandon's family and the search. We know this has been a frustrating process providing more questions than answers. You are invited to attend an informational session:
Friday, March 20th at 7:00 p.m.
Wesley United Methodist Church (basement level) 202 N. 4th Street Marshall MN
Jeff Hasse will provide information on search, rescue and recovery, some specifics about Brandon's case and answer your questions. Please join us.
The search for Brandon resumes!
The first spring search is tentatively scheduled for March 21-22 under the direction of Sheriff Jack Vizecky and Search Manager Jeff Hasse. The Civil Air Patrol will hold a ground search training mission with classroom training on Saturday and ground search on Sunday. Several dog teams will also be deployed to help with the search.
UPDATE FEBRUARY 2009
On February 16th family met with search manager Jeff Hasse and Major Pieper from Civil Air Patrol (CAP). Jeff provided an update on the status of the search reconstruction and search plans. The reconstruction phase is nearing completion. A planning meeting has been scheduled for February 25th with SAR personnel during which high priority search areas will be identified and prioritized. This step will help finalize the search plan which will then be presented to Sheriff Vizecky for his approval.
Major Pieper updated the family on CAP's plan to hold a ground search training mission during the first spring search. The family welcomes CAP's involvement and interest in searching for Brandon. In addition to providing a valuable resource to the search, this will provide an opportunity for CAP members to develop and hone their skills for future search missions.
Hundreds of hours have gone into reconstructing the search in preparation for the continuation of our quest to bring Brandon home. The family is grateful to Jeff Haase, Major Pieper and Sheriff Vizecky for their commitment and dedication.
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