Greensburg Bloodhound Team captain earns national recognition

A longtime member of the Greensburg Bloodhound Team was honored in May by the National Bloodhound Association during a training session in Maryland.

Roland “Bud” Mertz was recognized as bloodhound handler of the year with the Sgt. Joe P. Marcum Award, which is given annually to an association member for their contribution to the development and use of purebred bloodhounds in law enforcement.

Eight bloodhounds from the Greensburg team joined nine handlers plus two team members who are instructors for the association at the training. In 2023, the team helped in 40 searches at the request of police and fire departments around the region.

The team is associated with the Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department and was established in 1969.

Mertz, a volunteer firefighter, has helped out with the association for decades, serving as instructor, president and on the board of trustees over the years. He is captain of the Greensburg team and serves as a handler and trainer. He has worked with five bloodhounds since 1980.

Outside of his volunteer efforts, Mertz works as Westmoreland County’s director of public safety.