1 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Canine Search Specialist Training STM Unit 7A: Canine Search Operations and the Role of the Search Team Manager

2 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Unit Objective Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to describe the Search Team Manager’s role in enhancing the effectiveness of canine search operations

3 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Enabling Objectives Describe the Search Team Manager’s role in handler and canine training and certification Identify ways to integrate the search canine component into the task force team as a whole

4 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Enabling Objectives (continued) List the duties and responsibilities canine handlers have within the task force Describe the Search Team Manager’s role in facilitating the successful completion of the canine handler’s duties and responsibilities within the task force

5 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Enabling Objectives (continued) Describe the canine search team’s responsibilities before, during, and after a deployment Describe Search Team Manager’s role in facilitating the canine search team’s successful completion of their duties before, during, and after a deployment

6 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training The STM’s Role in Training Attending Training STM should attend as many canine training sessions as possible This involvement improves the working relationship and team camaraderie with the canine handlers

7 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training The STM’s Role in Training (continued) Task Force Training It is important that canine handlers be involved in task force training as much as possible Training with the task force exposes the rest of the task force members to canine search teams

8 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training The STM’s role in Certification Certification Evaluation Training and Certifying is an ongoing Mentoring process, which includes training at home and away from home Foundation Skills Assessment Certification Preparation Certification Evaluation Recertification

9 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Other Considerations (continued) Task Force General Requirements There are FEMA system requirements for deployment Make sure that the handlers have met these requirements

10 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Other Considerations (continued) Support Your teams will be only as good as the support you provide them Do not exclude them from the task force in any way Build a rapport with your teams This will ensure you are knowledgeable of your resources

11 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Duties and Responsibilities Chain-of-Command Handlers need to follow Must not circumvent The handler needs to understand that they work for one person and that they must report to the STM

12 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Team Work The canine teams are a part of the team, but not THE team If canines are not being used, they need to be secured Handlers should be tasked with any additional assignment needs the task force may have Make the handlers a part of the whole team

13 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Cache Handlers should know the canine part of their cache Should also learn how to prepare the cache for deployment

14 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Considerations During a Deployment At the POA Check-in  For the canine handler, this means two check- ins, one for the handler and one for the canine  Handler will usually have a veterinarian check the canine to get the health certificate  News media will be there to report your deployment

15 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Considerations During a Deployment At the POA The Veterinarian check  Needs to be completed at the point of assembly  Vet will issue a USDA health certificate  Good idea for handler to carry copy of DoD letter permitting search canines to fly

16 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Considerations During a Deployment (continued) At the POD Task Force Responsibilities  Kennels should be used to keep the canines quiet  Handlers should assist in preparation for departure

17 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Considerations During a Deployment (continued) At the POD Logistics/Loadmaster (Military or Civilian) Loading of Canines  STM and Logistics Manager confer  Loadmaster has ultimate say on how canines will be transported  If canines are flown commercially, they may travel in passenger compartment

18 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Considerations During a Deployment (continued) At the POD Documentation  DoD letter and health certificates should be readily available for loadmaster’s review  Whether transported by air or ground make sure the canines are quiet and comfortable

19 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Considerations During a Deployment (continued) Onsite Operations BoO  Canines kenneled in quiet area, which may be separate  Handlers need to be a part of the team and given assignments as necessary

20 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Considerations During a Deployment (continued) Onsite Operations Cache  Important that handlers assist during this operation  It goes a long way toward acceptance as part of the task force

21 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Considerations During a Deployment (continued) Onsite Operations Transportation  In some cases, ground transportation will be carried out with canines out of their kennels  When in Type III configuration, transport the canines in kennels, if possible  Still a judgment call for the handler, STM, and Logistics Manager to make

22 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Considerations During a Deployment (continued) Onsite Operations Operations Post-operations

23 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Considerations During a Deployment (continued) Onsite Operations Documentation  STM needs to fill out the ICS Form 214’s daily  personal journal should also be kept After Action Report (AAR)  STM needs to be objective in putting together AAR  Note the good, bad, corrective action, and needs

24 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Considerations During a Deployment (continued) Onsite Operations Post-incident  Critical part of the operations  Can be very difficult time when word comes down that task force is standing down

25 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Considerations During a Deployment (continued) Reassignment/Demobilization BoO Cache After Action Report (AAR) Documentation Veterinarian Check CISD

26 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Assignments When search assignments are tasked, make sure the handlers know their role and who they report to

27 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Documentation Documentation includes Identification Health certificate DoD letter

28 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training The Media The canine teams are camera magnets If media approaches a handler, they should direct media to their STM, to PIO or have been given specific talking points The media should not be distracting the canine

29 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Care of Canines Canines should be placed in a quiet area away from the distractions of preparing for deployment Best way to do this is to house them in their kennel STM should ensure that the canine needs are being met

30 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Unit Summary and Evaluation

31 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Unit Summary Describe the Search Team Manager’s role in handler and canine training and certification Identify ways to effectively integrate the search canine component into the Task Force

32 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Unit Summary (continued) List the duties and responsibilities canine handlers have within the task force Describe the Search Team Manager’s role in facilitating the successful completion of the canine handler’s duties and responsibilities within the task force

33 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Unit Summary (continued) Describe the canine search team’s responsibilities before, during, and after a deployment Describe Search Team Manager’s role in facilitating the canine search team’s successful completion of their duties before, during, and after a deployment

34 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Unit Evaluation Please fill out the evaluation form for this unit