(Sorry if this is in the wrong section)

The last few weeks at work have shown up a severe lack of K9 resources available at various incidents. It got me thinking about the possibility of an "on-call" S&R unit.

It seems to make sense to have a number of 'tracking' dogs that can be called out if needed. They don't need to be full GP dogs or permanent menbers of the dog section, they could be any officer/civillian staff with a search-trained dog, that could be called out for 'slow-time' incidents such as extended missing persons searches.

My question is: Does anyone have experience of such a unit? What are the pros/cons of it? How is it set up? What about insurance/vets bills etc for non-permanent handlers?

It'd be nice to get some real word advice before I mention the idea to "Upstairs".

Many thanks
Rob

Rob,

Have you thought about starting your own team as a non-profit organization?

If you have enough reliable people that are interested that might be an option for you. The last call out that I was on besides the calls that are here in my area, was Minnesota (to assist a cadaver search) and one in Nebraska. (yes, I travel quite a bit when contacted by LE)

Hi Rob, I am not to familiar with canine SAR groups in the UK.
With my team, all insurance is covered by the OEM and some funds are allocated from the county. We are called out by the County Sheriff's Department when needed. Here are a couple links that may help you get started.

http://www.sarda.org.uk/

http://www.iro-dogs.org/extradomains/irodogsorg/index.php?mID=82

The above IRO (International Rescue Dog Organization) is a world org for national rescue dog teams. Click on English in the extreme upper right corner. Lots of info.

Good luck on your endeavor!

I am not familiar either with how things work over there. Things are very different within the US so I imagine other countries can be different as well.

Our unit, incurs all our own expenses including a hefty bill for team insurance -- Do you have some sort of civilian reserve officer program -- that may be a good place to start if you want them directly association with the law.

But I know there are volunteer units over there so that is what I would do is find all the groups you can in your country and see what they do. Their are a good number of air scent border collies and lurchers over their; I am pretty sure of that.

Thanks for the replies so far.

It seems that things are VERY different across the pond!

From my understanding, we would need to have the dogs 'certified' in some sort of Home Office approved search course, otherwise the force could be liable for all sorts of claims - even though we're trying to help!

We don't really have a civillian reserve officer program in the same vein so that's a bit of a no-go.

I was thinking along the lines of having regular officers/staff available to be called out, as we do with Family Liaison Officers for road deaths etc.

I love the idea of a charitable, volunteer S&R unit, but I don't think it'll happen in this country!!

Apart from the mountain rescue stuff I mean. Those guys are amazing, but I'm thinking of something a bit different.

Have you reviewed any standards and inter-team certifications that you like?
What is you Incident Management System like over there? Any kind of guidelines as far as being "deployable resources".

I am sure there are some of us who would be glad to send you our standards and certification tests to review. Then you could go armed with those and see what they think??

Thanks Carol,

I've PM'd you back. I'll wait to see if I can spark any interest from the 'Powers that be' before putting you to all that trouble!

Hi Rob: I totally agree with all the comments You recieved so far. When I started our
SAR team I was met with all types of problems with the main one being finding people ready and willing to respond day or night in the worst weather Mother Nature can throw at You plus the costs of travel and equiptment and then there is the problems of ego's of Law Enforcement which can be a real nightmare until your SAR unit gets a Great reputation. We are non-profit,. volunteer
Then there is the constant need to be certified and recertified plus insurance hassles. But there is a bright side when You place a lost child back into the arms of his or hers loved ones words cannot describe how great You will feel. I love the "rush"
I get when we get a call it could be urban, forest or a disaster and It does not matter, Iam older and quite frankly quite beaten up from years of Dogs knocking me down and using me as a chew toy and if i had to do it all over again I would not trade it for the world.
We also do Pet rescue which I find keeps us and our dogs in shape for the real thing and it is equally rewarding.
Please don't give up. Here at Leerberg You will have plenty of support. Good Luck Tom

I don't believe it's a matter of "egos" with law enforcement. Rather a "once burned, twice shy" attitude. Law enforcement trains to specific standards. Not all SAR teams do. Until law enforcement gains confidence in a particular SAR unit, they do tend be a bit apprehensive.

DFrost