• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Español
    • العربية (Árabe)
    • 简体中文 (Chino)
    • English (Inglés)
    • 한국어 (Coreano)
    • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamita)
    • Tagalog (Tagalog)
Virginia Department of Emergency Management

Virginia Department of Emergency Management

An Agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia

  • Preparar
    • Tirador activo
    • Químicos
    • PREPARACIÓN ANTE TERREMOTOS
    • Calor extremo
    • Incendios
    • Inundaciones
    • Materiales peligrosos
    • Amenazas para la salud
    • PREPARACIÓN ANTE HURACANES
    • Rayos + Tormentas Eléctricas
    • Cortes de energía
    • Terrorismo
    • PREPARACIÓN ANTE TORNADO
    • Tsunamis
  • Español
    • العربية (Árabe)
    • 简体中文 (Chino)
    • English (Inglés)
    • 한국어 (Coreano)
    • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamita)
    • Tagalog (Tagalog)

VDEM SAR Program Mourns Loss of Longtime Instructor

febrero 26, 2020 by External Affairs

RICHMOND–William (Bill) Keith, a longtime Search and Rescue (SAR) instructor for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM), unexpectedly passed away on Friday. He was 57.

Bill was a part of the SAR program for 30 years and was a member of the Black Diamond Search and Rescue Council in Marion, Virginia — one of the many volunteer SAR teams that provide support during missing person incidents in the wilderness, rural or disaster environments. Bill was certified as an Operational Tracker.

“Anyone who knew Bill knew that he was a friend’s friend. He was careful, creative, a consummate critical thinker, a willing collaborator and a dedicated public servant. But more importantly, a great friend and mentor,” Black Diamond Search and Rescue Council said in a statement. “Bill will be missed by all who knew him, but his legacy and the memories of him will live on.”

Bill was also active in cave rescues through the National Cave Rescue Commission (NCRC) and was a member of the Search and Rescue Tracking Institute (SARTI).

“Bill Keith was a great man, dedicated husband, father, and search and rescue professional,“ said VDEM’s Chief of Search and Rescue Programs Bryan Saunders, who also grew up with Bill.

In addition to his volunteer rescue work, Bill was a member of the National Speleological Society (NSS) and introduced many neophyte cavers to the Southwest Virginia underground.

Bill was a longtime employee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture of which he recently retired.

He is survived by his wife and two children. A Celebration of Life will be held on March 8.

VDEM’s SAR program manages and deploys a strategic and sustainable organization capable of a quick, competent, and integrated response to lost and missing person incidents. There are 21 volunteer SAR teams, with nearly 600 volunteers, on call 24/7.

###

Contact:
Danielle Guichard
(804) 267-7612 Office
(804) 998-0534 Cell
danielle.guichard@vdem.virginia.gov

Category iconNews Release

Primary Sidebar

Ongoing Activation

The VEOC is currently activated in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

View Activation Details
  • العربية (Árabe)
  • 简体中文 (Chino)
  • English (Inglés)
  • 한국어 (Coreano)
  • Español
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamita)
  • Tagalog (Tagalog)

Footer

Contact VDEM regarding a Freedom of Information Act Request: FOIA Information
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2021 Virginia Department of Emergency Management. Some items in the public domain. Return to top