Reese Irwin

Christopher “Reese” Irwin has been a search dog handler since 2018 and is operational in wilderness and urban trailing with his Polish Hound, Boojum. His new Chocolate Lab, Ruger, is training in Wilderness Air Scent and Human Remains Detection (HRD).

Reese has been the Team Lead of Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (PCSO SAR) since 2019, a position he will hold until the end of 2025, when he will transition to a focus on state search and rescue education efforts thereafter. He has been an instructor for the Colorado Search and Rescue (CSAR) Association Responder Education Program since 2021 and accepted the Program Manager position in late 2024. In this position, he oversees efforts to bring CSAR constituents together for continuing education opportunities.

Outside of search and rescue, Reese is the Financial Planning & Analysis Manager for EVRAZ North America in Pueblo, CO and is a part time adjunct instructor in accounting for Colorado State University - Pueblo. He spends his free time hiking, rock climbing, and playing Magic the Gathering.

Experience:

1. Northwest K-9 Search and Recovery Handler and Search Manager (2018 - Present)

2. CSAR Responder Education Program Manager (2024 - Present)

3. PCSO SAR Member (2015 - 2019, 2026 - Present)

4. PCSO Dive Rescue and Recovery Member (2022 - Present)

5. PCSO Wildland Firefighter (2024 - Present)

6. PCSO SAR Team Lead (2019 - 2025)

7. Park County (WY) SAR Member (2007-2011)

Certifications:

1. Advanced Search Management and Basic Search Management Instructor (CSAR)

2. ICS 100, 200, 700, 702, and 800 (FEMA)

3. Wide Area Search (FEMA)

4. CPR/First Aid/O2 Provider (HSI)

5. Technical Rope Rescue Technician (Rescue 3 International)

6. Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (AITS)

7. ASI ATV RiderCourse (ATV Safety Institute)

8. Open Water Diver (SSI)