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 Identify ways to integrate the search canine component into the task force team as a whole Describe the Search Team Manager’s role in canine search team certification

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 If there are problems with teams, the STM can help with additional training assistance 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 Other Considerations Equipment Can be divided into personal issue and cache issue The task force will determine personal issued items This issue may be done pre-deployment or at the time of deployment

9 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Other Considerations (continued) Certification Evaluation The certification evaluation is an ongoing process Type II pretest evaluation For upcoming Type I teams, the same process should be maintained in the same way It is a continuing process of evaluating certified teams

10 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

11 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

12 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

13 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Team Work The canine teams are a part of the team and 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

14 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

15 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

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

17 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Assignments When recon assignments are made, make sure the handlers know their respective team

18 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training The Media The canine teams are camera magnets Handlers should be directed not to do interviews unless working with a PIO If media approaches a handler, they should direct media to their STM and on to PIO The media should not be distracting the canine

19 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

20 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

21 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  Allows handlers to help out the team in preparation for departure

22 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 get together  Loadmaster has ultimate say on how canines will be transported  If canines are flown commercially, they may travel in passenger compartment

23 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

24 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Considerations During a Deployment (continued) Onsite Operations BoO  Canines in separate or quieter area  Handlers need to be a part of the team and given assignments as necessary  Kennels

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

26 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Considerations During a Deployment (continued) Onsite Operations Transportation  In most cases, transportation on ground 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

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

28 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

29 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

30 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

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 Identify ways to integrate the search canine component into the task force team as a whole Describe the Search Team Manager’s role in canine search team certification

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