We train and deploy our search & rescue teams in service to others.
Day or night, anywhere, under any conditions.
In the chaos of disaster, when everything feels lost, our mission begins. Each deployment is a race against time, not just to save lives and find the missing, but to restore hope when it’s needed most.
BECAUSE EVERY SECOND COUNTS
EVERY LIFE MATTERS
Our Skills
OUR MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMS ARE TRAINED FOR THE JOB.
From collapsed buildings and swift waters to High-angle rescue, remote wilderness, and disaster-stricken zones, they bring more than skill. They bring light to families facing their darkest days.
Trauma First Responder
SMART TAC responders are often first to arrive at the scene in cases of missing persons or disasters. Our rapid responders receive specialized training in Pre-Hospital Trauma Care and are certified by the International Prehospital Medicine Institute. Every team is equipped to provide immediate medical assistance to stabilize victims in critical conditions. When necessary, a paramedic is integrated into the team, ensuring a higher level of medical care on-site.
Crisis Liaison Team
SMART TAC has the ability to deploy a Crisis Liaison Team (CLT) to coordinate efforts on the ground and facilitate all communications between families, concerned parties, and all key stakeholders involved in the emergency response effort. This ensures that the people and companies we serve can make informed decisions regarding their clients, families, and any other organizations involved, including insurance companies
K9 Search, Rescue & Recovery
SMART TAC’s Search, Rescue, and Recovery K9s are trained and qualified to assist in locating missing or lost individuals in wilderness areas as well as disaster scenarios such as earthquakes and floods. The K9 teams include specialized Live Find dogs, that exclusively alert to the presence of living individuals, completely ignoring the deceased. Additionally, SMART TAC employs dual-purpose K9s trained in both Live Find and Cadaver (Deceased) detection. These dual-purpose dogs operate under separate commands for each task, allowing them to prioritize finding live individuals. If no live persons are detected, they seamlessly transition to cadaver detection. This dual capability maximizes efficiency, enabling a single dog to locate both survivors and deceased individuals in the field, reducing the need to deploy multiple teams.
Swift Water Rescue
The SMART TAC team is swift water rescue qualified and prepared to respond effectively to the increasing threat of floods (one of the most frequent and devastating natural disasters). In 2024, Africa experienced a 20% increase in flooding incidents compared to the previous year, resulting in over 2,500 deaths and 4 million displaced people.
Rope Rescue
The SMART TAC team is highly trained in rope rescue, enabling them to operate effectively in challenging high-angle environments such as cliffs, ravines, and collapsed structures. Rope rescue skills are essential in both wilderness and urban disaster scenarios where victims may be trapped in hard-to-reach locations.
Seaborne Rescue
SMART TAC Ocean Incident Command has the skills sets to take total charge of a seaborne rescue providing overall incident management, making key decisions and coordinating with other agencies if needed. Included within the SMART TAC IC (incident command) role would be; Operations: Responsible for the actual rescue and search efforts, including deployment of resources and managing the incident site. Planning: Would develop and implement the overall plan for the rescue, including resource allocation and timelines. Logistics: Would manage resources such as equipment, food, water, and transportation. Finance: Would handle incident costs and ensure proper accounting.
Meet the Team
At the core of SMART TAC is a team of elite professionals – veterans, specialists, and tactical responders with decades of military and rescue experience. From K9 handlers to swift water experts, our personnel are trained to operate in challenging environments where few can go.
James (Founder, K9 & Rescue Operations)
James combines military discipline, advanced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training, and corporate leadership experience, bringing strategic precision to SMART TAC. His expertise spans K9 search-and-rescue operations, swift water rescue, wilderness competency, rope rescue, and trauma first response. James has successfully led critical operations locally and internationally, including Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Ghana.
Kerrin (Operations & Strategic Partnerships)
Kerrin blends extensive corporate experience with frontline SAR knowledge. Specializing in K9 SAR handling, rope rescue, swift water rescue, and medical first response, he’s actively shaped SMART TAC's operational readiness. Kerrin excels in building high-level relationships, coordinating partnerships with NGOs, governmental agencies, and international aid organizations.
Cathy (Intelligence & Operational Coordination)
A veteran Army intelligence officer, and an international project coordinator, Cathy brings decades of experience in military and civilian intelligence, operational logistics, and security. Her military career includes being a pioneer for women in several fields. Cathy ensures meticulous coordination and secure operations during complex missions.
Garth (Special Operations & Risk Advisory)
As a Special Forces veteran, Garth's 30+ years’ experience in specialized military and risk advisory operations is unparalleled. He has extensive international operational exposure in challenging environments, providing integrated solutions for a diverse client group. Garth plays a crucial role in leading high-stakes missions and training initiatives.
Mike (Rope Rescue)
Michael Green, born and raised in eSwatini, has nearly 20 years of rope experience and has been active in wilderness search and rescue since 2021. A member of the Mountain Club of South Africa’s Technical Wilderness Search and Rescue (MSAR) team, he specializes in rope-based rescue, safety at height, and training. With a background in rock climbing and mountaineering, Michael is known for his calm leadership, methodical approach, and focus on safety in remote, high-risk environments.
Jono (Comms & Waterborne Rescue)
Johnathan has over a decade of experience in shipbuilding, marine design, and business development, currently serving as a business development manager and marine application engineer for a world-renowned propulsion manufacturer. With 13 years dedicated to search, rescue, and recovery (SARR), including 10 years as a qualified maritime coxswain and station commander, he brings deep technical and leadership expertise. Johnathan has been deployed to major local and international disasters, most recently the George building collapse in 2024.
Mariann (K9 SARR)
Mariann Wilson (Crewe-Brown) is the national chairperson of K9 Search and Rescue South Africa, with decades of experience in K9 training and search, rescue, and recovery (SARR). A qualified detection dog trainer and former teacher, she has been training dogs since 1986, working with therapy, service, and companion dogs. After returning to South Africa in 2009, she became one of the first handlers to qualify a wilderness airscent dog in the Western Cape and has since led and trained numerous K9 teams. Mariann’s expertise spans trauma response, swift water, wilderness, and rope rescue, with a deep passion for advancing K9 SARR in a volunteer capacity.
Tyrone (Brand & Marketing)
Tyrone has over 25 years of advertising experience, working with a diverse array of both local and global brands. He has distinguished himself among clients and peers in the industry by delivering innovative creative solutions, executing impactful campaigns, and demonstrating a strong commitment to collaboration.
Additionally, he is a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu instructor with experience teaching self-defense strategies for the security sector.
Tyrone is passionate about building the SMART TAC brand and plans to leverage his creative and strategic expertise to enhance the organization’s marketing and communications initiatives.
Tyrone is passionate about building the SMART TAC brand and plans to leverage his creative and strategic expertise to enhance the organization’s marketing and communications initiatives.
what people have to say:
our Shop
From essential K9 gear to branded merchandise, every purchase from our shop helps support our life-saving search and rescue efforts.
War Dog Ghost Harness - Kevlar Lined- Search T
- Rex Specs Ear Pro
- Puppy Bite Pillow
- Patches - 100% profit to NPC
- War Dog Alpha Lead
- Julius K9 IDC Harness
- Rex Specs V2 Goggles
- War Dog Leads
Baseball Cap
SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Your Support Saves Lives
Every donation empowers us to continue our mission.
SMART TAC is a registered Public Benefit Organisation (Reg. No. 930081252) and can issue Section 18A tax exemption certificates for qualifying donations.
We deploy Search, Rescue, and Recovery teams—comprised of K9s, handlers, and rescue technicians—into some of the world’s most hostile and austere environments.
Our purpose is simple yet profound:
To save lives, reunite families, and, when necessary, bring closure to those left behind.
Time is critical in search, rescue and recovery. That’s why our teams respond rapidly—working in high-risk, complex situations to locate the missing, assist disaster victims, and recover those who won’t make it home.
Your contribution fuels every rescue.
Because of you, we act swiftly, professionally, and with compassion—when it matters most.
Together, we make rescue possible.
Monthly Donation
Once Off Donation
Live Updates
