Caithness and Sutherland Search Team was set up in 2003. The five founding members believed that the use of properly trained search dogs backed up with carefully trained support personnel could make a contribution to the preservation of life for persons missing in open areas other than mountains and in specialised Urban Search and Rescue Scenarios.

To that end CASST was born to provide such a service to the people of Caithness and Sutherland and other areas if possible.

We have worked since then to train dogs and handlers as well as support personnel to prepare for this role.

CASST is a member of the National Urban Search and Rescue Dog Group (Scotland). NUSARDG Scotland lay down the guidelines on training and assessment standards that we must meet. These standards were originally established by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in conjunction with Her Majesties Fire Service Inspectorate.These standards and our skills meant that we were one of the two Scottish teams deployed by Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service at the Stockline Disaster in Glasgow.

CASST continue to train and prepare to serve our community if necessary and are now recognised as a deployable resource in our own right and work in partnership with Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service.

We strive to be an open community organisation and welcome applications from all sectors of society for membership. Opportunities for disabled members to contribute to the work of the group exist and we are keen to speak to anyone who may be able to assist us in any way.