Does anyone have any experience working with disaster dog teams/units?

In particular I am wondering what it takes to get a program off the ground, train the dog, and certify the dog.

Brainstorming a program...any info is welcome!

I'm a canine search specialist for my state USAR/disaster team and a FEMA USAR/disaster team. My husband is a FEMA canine instructor and evaluator as well as the search team manager for our state USAR team. He also assisted in the development of our state USAR team.

The short answer to your question is that it takes a lot of time, effort and persistence to put together a team. A disaster team should consist of much more than canines and their handlers. Not only must our dogs and members find people (and do it safely), but we must be able to extricate and treat them as well. Typically we deploy around 60+ members per incident. It can take years (and a whole lot of dedicated people) to put together a competent disaster team/unit.

Mara's link to our "unofficial" FEMA canine website should help get you started. If you'd like specific help or answers to specific questions, please feel free to email me:

k9riot@yahoo.com

Konnie,

Thank you very much. If you are sincere I will most definately take you up on your offer from time to time.

I do realize that a project like this is not for the average hobbyist (or the above average one ) and I am expecting a realistic goal of about 2 years before things are really off the ground. My problem is that right now I am lost as to a beginning point for this journey. I realize that this is more than just a commitment to training dogs and that means the handlers too.

What I am trying to determine right now is if this is an attainable goal or not; will my local EM units be responsive and/or supportinve of this type of program and then will I be able to attract the right type of people? So much to consider, I don't know where to begin.

 Quote: brad . martin

If you are sincere I will most definately take you up on your offer from time to time.

I am 100% sincere in my offer. Contact me as much as you need to. I can also put you in contact with my husband and other FEMA personnel who have similar experience.

 Quote:

So much to consider, I don't know where to begin.

To start, don't even think about the dogs. Begin with a study/working group of like-minded individuals from various emergency response agencies in your area. Determine the need - what type of disasters will you likely deploy to? In what geographic areas are you targeting your response - local or ? How does this affect the equipment and personnel that you'll need?

Visit other similar groups and talk to them about how they got started and find out what is required. Review other disaster team models and adopt one for your group(there is no sense re-inventing the wheel).

Investigate funding as it is a major consideration. Your team cannot operate without it. Can you get government (of any level) funding or a corporate sponsor? You're going to need one or the other or both. Both of the teams I'm a member of have an entire warehouse of equipment amassed (including vehicles to carry that equipment) and it was not cheap.

Its a huge undertaking and you do have a reasonable goal of around 2 years before you are deployable. I'm excited for you and encourage you to continue your investigation into this "project."

Good luck!

Hey Brad,

Sounds awesome! I know two Canadian FEMA dog handlers, I know them because they are also CARDA members, I don't train with them except at CARDA courses. Both dudes are fire fighters, one in BC one in AB. If you are interested in their contacts to ask them questions about FEMA dogs and disaster teams in Canada you could PM me.

Here is one link I found about a disaster unit in Surrey BC.


http://www.surrey.ca/Living+in+Surrey/Emergency+and+Protective+Services/Fire/General+Information/Information+Pages/Cody+-+Disaster+Search+Dog+Program.htm


I think I remember you live around Ottawa. Do you know these guys already? They seem to have some FEMA dogs
http://www.ovsarda.on.ca/dogs.htm

I know where I am and what we do, we need to be examined by RCMP to be called out. This varies according to province and there is not disaster exam from the RCMP, seems we use the FEMA standad in Canada for that. Have you already talked to the RCMP, provincial and city police, as well as fire, to find out what they would require to use your services? If there was a disaster...who would be responsible for calling you out for a search? You probably have looked into this already.

I am totally interested in hearing how you make out. It sounds like fun (and by fun I mean a lot of work but dog related so fun )

Ladies,

Thank you so much for your assistance. This information will be invaluable in getting me started.

If there is anything to be added or if there are any other comments I am all ears.