1 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Certification Evaluation Canine Search Specialist Certification Evaluation Certification

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National Urban Search & Rescue Response System

Canine Search Specialist Certification Evaluation


Certification Evaluation Orientation

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Welcome

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Introductions – IC

Hosting Task Force members

Chief Evaluator

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Introductions – Chief Evaluator

Evaluators - Shadows - Handlers

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Test Dog

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Primary Objectives

To conduct the evaluation

safely

To certify and re-certify

qualified teams

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Secondary Objectives

To provide feedback to Handlers and Task Forces

To provide an opportunity for networking

To provide an opportunity for peer review

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Paperwork

Score sheets

Cover sheets

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Briefing Emergency contact numbers

Weather Prediction

Communications

Media - PIO

Transportation/Staging

Safety Plan

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Briefing (continued)

EAP

Required paperwork (releases, etc)

Medical Services (human & canine)

K9 exercise area

Additional information/Questions

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Schedule

Breakfast plan

Start time

Rotation schedule

Lunch plan

Time/Place fordebrief

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(Insert aerial photo/map of site)

May Include:

Parking

Staging

Relief areas

Piles

Hazard/unsafe areas

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Terms

Abuse - Physical or psychological maltreatment of the canine

Aggression - An attempted or actual unprovoked attack on another canine or person

Canine Care & Safety - Includes appropriate vet check, hydration, stripping of vest and collar while searching.

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Terms (continued)

Control of Canine - While remaining in the specified search area (according to the site parameters), the handler is able to recall and/or halt the canine if the canine enters pre-determined, site-specific unsafe areas.

False Alert - Any area incorrectly identified by the handler as a live victim

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Terms (continued)

PPE - Helmet, gloves, long pants/long sleeves, safety toe/steel shank boots. Handler must also have eye protection and knee pads.

Repetitive Barking - Three (3) barks at the same victim that may be interspersed with digging, scratching or any other attempt to get to the victim. Canine may reposition itself while alerting at the victim location.

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Site Criteria – Full Access

Site is completely accessible to handler and canine.

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Site Objectives – Full Access

The objective of the full access pile is to test how the handler and canine work as a team when the opportunity to work in close proximity is offered and the canine can be in the handler’s view at all times.

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Site Criteria – Limited Access

The handler will remain at the starting point. Upon an alert, handler may access rubble to mark it. The handler must stay within a 5 ft radius of this mark or return to start while canine continues to search.

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Site Objectives – Limited Access

The primary objective of the limited access pile is to test the canine’s ability to search and alert out of sight of the handler, enabling the handler to pinpoint. To accomplish this, the location of the victim will be chosen so that when the dog alerts, the dog and handler cannot see each other.

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Required Skills No violation of ground rules

No false alerts

No more than one missed victimAt least one victim must be found with

handler at starting point on Ltd Access pile

4 to 6 victims total on test

Team locates victims on each site within 20 minute search period

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Required Skills (continued)

Canine indicates with at least 3 barks

Handler identifies area of canine’s indication

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Additional Skills

Site Assessment/Initial search plan

Flagging/marking indication location

Search/victim markings

Site sketch/map

Debrief/recommendations

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Site Assessment/Search Plan

Based on the scenario given at this briefing

During the 5 minutes, handler will introduce himself, brief the “STM” as to how his canine operates, determine his access, safe areas, hazards and give search strategy

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Flagging/Marking

Handler must mark where canine indicated live human scent

May mark high and low if indication is not in a visible place

A flag laid is a flag played, there are no take-backs

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FEMA US&R Marking Systems

Search Markings

Victim Markings

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Search Markings

Upon entry with TF ID, time & date

Upon exit with date, time, hazards and victims

Incomplete search

PA-TF118SEP00

1800

RATS

18SEP001330

PA-TF118SEP00

18008L3D

PA-TF118SEP00

1800

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Victim Markings

Indicates potential victim location, arrow may be used to pinpoint location, add distance on arrow

Circle around “V” indicates confirmed live victim. If more than one, mark number under V

VCA- TF2

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5’VCA- TF2

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Victim Markings (continued)

VCA- TF2

2

Line through “V” indicates confirmed deceased victim. If more than one, victim, mark total number under V

Cross out marking when victim is removed

VCA- TF2

2

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Mapping

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Mapping - Full Access

Name / TF / date / time

Alerts and means to identify them (i.e., distance form perimeter, compass reading, GPS coordinates)

Wind direction

Basic shape split into quadrants

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Mapping - Full Access (continued)

Areas of interest and/or not covered

Hazards

Search / Victim markings

Prominent features / landmarks

Compass orientation (North arrow)

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Debrief

Explain map

Give follow-up recommendations outside of search time to include additional resources (i.e., canine, tech search) and prioritize search areas

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Updates

System Updates

Evaluation Updates

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US&R Code of Conduct

Respect the value of life and the welfare of victims

Demonstrate respect for public and private property

Be aware of cultural issues including race, religion, gender and nationality

Follow Chain of Command

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US&R Code of Conduct (continued)

Abide by all DHS/FEMA regulations and AHJ law enforcement practices including the handling of sensitive information

Not possess or use any type of firearms

Follow DHS/FEMA direction regarding dress code and personal protective equipment

Not possess or use alcohol or illegal drugs

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US&R Code of Conduct (continued)

Procure equipment through appropriate channels

Not steal

Not accept gratuities

Not take personal advantage of any situation and/or opportunity that arises.

Demonstrate respect for other assigned personnel

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Questions?

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Safety Briefing/Scenario

As given by IC

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Evaluator Meeting

Chief Evaluator, Shadow Evaluator Mentor, & Evaluators

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Good Luck!

Documents

1 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Certification Evaluation Canine Search Specialist Certification Evaluation Certification