HOME > Social Welfare Program > Search & Rescue Dog > SAMSUNG Search & Rescue Dog Center SSRDC is dedicated to providing high quality search and rescue dogs to save lives in emergency situations both in Korea and overseas as well as to register search and rescue dogs as official 'Government Rescue Unit'. Currently 6 operational dogs are free contracted with 3 national rescue teams and by 2005 SSRDC plans to have 20 dogs working at 10 major national rescue units in association with the Korean Ministry of Home Affairs. SSRDC participates in a variety of rescue operations. Samsung’s 3119 Rescue Team and medical center have an integrated rescue program. As Far-East Asia’s regional headquarters of IRO (International Rescue Organization), SSRDC maintains a system of close cooperation with groups in Japan, China and Taiwan. It also actively participates in international events to support the acceptance and widespread use of rescue dogs.   Dec. 1989 Establishment of Samsung Security Dog Training Center   Feb. 1995 Name change to Samsung Search and Rescue Dog Center   April 1997 Receive first international accreditation for (three) rescue dogs   Nov. 1998 Provide first free contracted dog services to Wonju Fire Station   Aug.- Sept Samsung teams sent to earthquake sites in Turkey and Taiwan 1999   Oct. 2000 Chosen as IRO regional representative for Far-East Asia   May 2002 Rescue dogs officially recognized as part of 119 Rescue Units This is a program whereby search and rescue dogs trained by SSRDC are given away to Rescue 119 units around the country, to ensure that rescue teams can provide immediate assistance to those in need. Currently there are five Rescue 119 units with 10 dogs operating in Korea. SSRDC aims to increase that number to10 units with 20 dogs by 2005.