POLICY & PROCEDURE
for
Dog Teams
Search
and Rescue Dog teams
1. NECESSITY FOR SAR DOG TEAM
POLICY AND PROCEDURE
Dogs have certain sensory and physical abilities that can be used to help accomplish the mission of Search and Rescue. When a dog and handler receive proper training, they work as a team to provide specialized services. Teams can be trained to locate lost persons by following their odor on the wind and on the ground. Teams can locate persons underwater, buried by snow and collapsed structures.
Citizens perceive SAR dogs as well trained and efficient help for SAR operations. The presence of a handler and dog team can promote a positive image for the SAR Unit. SAR dogs can be used to rapidly search areas that would take humans days to search and expose them to risk.
The dog is, in a sense, specialized equipment. It can be an extension of the dog handler's decision making and actions. The nature of the SAR dog use requires guidelines and procedures for certified SAR dogs.
2. MISSION STATEMENT
Handler and dog teams exist to accomplish the Search and Rescue mission. The promotion of safety and respect for human life is the central theme of all action performed by a handler and dog team.
3. COMMAND STRUCTURE
A. Law Enforcement is in charge of all search and rescue operations within the State of Texas, including the use of any SAR dog on a search. They can use any handler and dog teams that they choose.
B. The PANSAR’S President in cooperation with the SAR Units elected board, has the right to make any decisions concerning the maintenance and use of SAR dogs. The President can appoint a trained handler as coordinator of the SAR dog training and testing program.
C. The Coordinator, individually or by delegating other handlers, is responsible for ensuring the application of guidelines and procedures in the following areas.
1. Selection, training, qualification and certification of handler dog teams;
2. Budget request for training and equipment, this includes justification to maintain the SAR dog program each year;
3. Give a yearly report of all SAR dog activity to PANSAR which includes finds, searches, public service acts, training and costs incurred to the unit by all SAR dog teams;
4. Setting requirements for the training and testing committee.
D. SAR dog handlers have the responsibility to
1. Control the SAR dog to ensure citizen and property safety;
2. Makes in field decisions; when and how to use the dog to search;
3. Make an on scene decision not to use the dog;
4. Secure, care for and maintain the health and safety of the SAR dog;
5. Meet all training, qualification and certification requirements;
6. Give a yearly report (in writing) to the training coordinator that includes; finds, searches, public service acts, training and costs to the unit incurred by that team.
4. DEPLOYMENT OF SAR DOG TEAMS
A. Handler dog teams work under the direction of the Incident Commander, who have been requested to respond. The IC has the authority to:
1. Deploy the handler dog team on a search mission;
2. Request the handler do other SAR duties not involving the SAR dog; and
3. Designate a team leader.
5. SAR DOG HANDLER
A. SAR dog handlers are volunteers and will receive no monetary compensation from PANSAR
B. Selection of the dog
handlers is at the discretion of the training coordinator. Examples of factors
the Unit will consider when making a decision to select a handler is:
1. Past performance within the SAR Unit;
2. Years of service and demonstrated self initiative;
3. Experience working with or training dogs; and
4. Competently performed in the field as a ground team member.
5. Physical and mental abilities of the applicant.
C. Selected handlers must agree to follow the guidelines set forth in this policy.
6. THE SAR DOG
A. The SAR dog is purchased by the handler or by donations dedicated for the purchase of a SAR dog. Maintaining, the SAR dog is the responsibility of the handler. The SAR dog is the property of the handler.
B. The training coordinator or a delegate will be responsible for selection testing SAR dog applicants, and the handler may request review by the Unit Board.
C. The SAR dog will be given appropriate vaccinations and medical care.
D. A SAR dog's injury, sickness or change in behavior should be reported to the coordinator and the Board.
E. A SAR dog should not be used to do duties the dog is not qualified to do.
F. SAR dogs should be in appropriate confinement at all activities.
7. TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION
A. The SAR Unit requires a SAR dog and handler to be certified in one of the following areas, or a combination: Area search or wilderness search, tracking or trailing, or locating drowned victims. Locating avalanche victims, locating victims buried by collapsed structures and locating cadavers, are optional areas of training. The dog should be obedient and under the control of the handler and can overcome obstacles it encounters during a search. The SAR dog team will show these skills through testing and by documenting training.
1. The SAR dog training coordinator, will arrange for competent authorities who can certify that the dog can successfully and consistently perform in one or more of the above areas.
2. The SAR Unit will compensate these competent authorities.
3. A SAR dog will not be deployed in the field as a trained dog until it has certified in that area of use. Dogs in training may accompany certified teams if they have demonstrated their ability by passing a pre_certification evaluation.
4. The SAR Unit requires a dog handler to receive searcher training in first aid, wilderness survival, land navigation and unit policy and procedures. In addition the handler is to receive training in the dog handler skill areas, such as determining and reporting the P.O.D., the effects of the climate on the dog team, clue awareness and K_9 first aid skills.
5. The SAR dog training coordinator will arrange for the selected handlers to obtain training in these areas, if they have not already been trained.
6. The SAR dog training coordinator will arrange for the selected handler to certify through a competent authority that he/she can successfully and consistently perform with the dog in one or more of the skill areas. { see Appendix E, & F }
7. The SAR dog team will be required to certify every year in one specialty area and no more than two years between certifying in any area.
B. The training coordinator will ensure guidelines to SAR dog teams for in service training are met. Guidelines will include;
1. A minimum of 60% of Unit SAR dog training a month will be attended by the SAR dog team. They must document hours in areas of training every year. { see Appendix B }
2. The coordinator will ensure flexibility in training schedules to ensure dog teams can fulfill professional and personal requirements in addition to training requirements.
C. If the handler or dog does not meet qualification standards or minimum training requirements, the coordinator will notify the Board.
D. The coordinator can recommend dog teams attend outside schools and training. Training requests should go through the Unit Commander to the Board.
1. Handlers may choose to attend any training at their own expense.
2. Handlers may receive donations of money or equipment that specify they are to be donated PANSAR.
3. Training attended outside the SAR unit will not relieve the Handler dog team from internal training requirements or certification.
4. All fund raising activities or donation solicitation must have prior approved by the Board of Directors.
E. Though certified in area search or tracking the SAR dog should not be used in most cases where a use of force option may be required.
8. ENFORCEMENT GUIDELINES
A. SAR Unit members who violate this procedure may be disciplined up to and including termination.
9. TESTING GUIDELINES:
A. Tracking Test Guidelines: The SAR Unit requires that SAR dogs who are certified in tracking or trailing can follow the track of a subject for 1100 yards (1km) on fields or wooded areas after it is aged no more than four hours { see Appendix F } and the general evaluation. The track or trail may contain no less than three turns and no more than five turns and one cross track. The trail or track will be laid so that the dog cannot air scent the subject, hidden at the end of the track. Scent articles will be provided to those teams requesting them. Certifying authorities when requested by the handler should arrange for subjects other than themselves to lay the trail or track. Certifying authorities should ensure that they know the exact location of the track or trail.
B. Obedience and Agility testing guidelines: The PANSAR requires that a SAR dog be obedient to its handler and under control at all times and can overcome obstacles that it encounters during searches { see Appendix I }. The certifying authority should ensure that the SAR dog will heel to the handler as the handler moves across a field and through a group of people, comes to the handler when called, will sit or down when directed by the handler, and will stay in that place when the handler walks out of sight of the dog. The dog will show that it can be exposed to other dogs without reacting aggressively. The handler can direct the dog to jump a fence or wall no higher than 30 inches and crawl through a tunnel with a diameter no smaller than 20 inches and a length no greater than 10 feet. The handler can direct the dog to climb stairs and to cross unstable surfaces. The SAR dog team should complete a Canine good citizen test yearly. SAR dogs deployed only on-lead may choose not to take portions of this test.
C. Area Search testing guidelines: The SAR Unit requires that SAR dog who are
certified in area search. Shall pass an initial certification then on
subsequence evaluations pass a recertification test. For the initial
certification each SAR dog team would be required to pass parts A, B, and C of
this test { see Appendix E } and the general evaluation { see Appendix D }, for
recertification the SAR dog team will be required to pass test D.
Test A. The hasty search problem: A path, trail, logging road or the like, not less than a ˝ mile long and not longer than one mile. The canine must locate the subject within about 30 feet off the trail. The subject must be camouflaged and hidden from view. The handler should describe the alert, recognize the alert and follow the canine to the subject. The handler should assess the subject for injury, accurately place the subject on the map, call coordinates into the base and recommend any medical assistance required. Time will be determined by the Testing Officer.
Test B. Night problem: An area no less than 40 acres. The handler should evaluate information provided regarding missing subject, determine search strategy, and search area for the subject. The search should begin at least one hour after dark and the subject should be placed at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the search. The subject should be well hidden in dark clothing. The handler should identify canines' alert and should follow the canine into the subject. The canine should make a clear alert or indication and should eagerly move into the subject. The handler should assess subject, identify location, and contact base with location and medical assessment. Time will be determined by the Testing Officer.
Test C. Open terrain, multi-subject problem: An area of approximately 320 acres with light brush/tree cover interspersed with open areas. Two or three persons (number of subjects known to the handler) hidden out of teams’ sight must be found within a set time limit, generally not less than two hours and not more than four hours. The handler should assess the sector on the map, determine the most effective way to search it, work the canine effectively, assess any subjects, determine their exact location, and notify base of their needs. Then, the handler should continue on to next subject. Canine should eagerly find each subject with an identifiable alert and refind or bark alert. Time will be determined by the Testing Officer.
Test D. Re-certification Readiness Test and Recertification Test: Open terrain single subject problem: An area of not less than 60 acres and not more than 140 acres with light brush and tree cover interspersed with open areas. One subject camouflaged and hidden from view. The handler can describe the canine's alert, recognize that alert and follow the canine to the subject. The handler should assess the subject for injury, accurately place the subject on the map, call coordinates into base and recommend any medical assistance required. The canine should eagerly find the subject with an identifiable alert and refind or bark indication. Time will be determined by the Testing Officer.
D. Water search test guidelines: The SAR Unit requires that SAR dog who are certified in a water search shall pass an initial certification then on subsequence evaluations pass a recertification test { see Appendix G }. For initial qualification each water search dog and handler team must pass both parts of this evaluation and the general evaluation. For pre-qualification the dog and handler team must pass one of these parts (to be determined by chance) and the general evaluation once every two years. This evaluation is based on a two-part water test. Time will be determined by the Testing Officer.
Test A. The first part of the test is a shore search. In an area not less than one hundred fifty feet by twelve feet, such as the shoreline of a lake, river or pond with winds blowing toward the shore line. The SAR dog should successfully indicate the location of a cadaver simulating material or diver, within ten feet with due compensation for current and wind conditions. The material or diver should be submerged out of sight of the handler before the start of the test. The canine should alert in a consistent and readily identifiable manner. Time will be determined by the Testing Officer.
Test B. The second part is an open water search. In an area approximately 3 acres in size such as a lake or pond. Working from a power boat operated by another person, a canoe paddled by a second person in the stern of the craft, or a boat rowed by a second person, the canine should detect a cadaver simulated material or diver at depth of no more than 10 feet. The material or diver should be submerged out of sight of the handler before the start of the test. The SAR dog should alert in a consistent and readily identifiable manner. The alert should be readily apparent to the handler and observers. Time will be determined by the Testing Officer.
E. Certifying Authority testing guidelines: Certifying authority's will be given a score sheets for the area they are testing. Responses marked with a star * symbol indicate a crucial area and the SAR dog team will be required to retest to show this skill if the Certifying authority fails the SAR team in that area. Responses are worth 3, 2, 1, and 0 points. N/A responses do not count against the total points. The minimum average score to certify is 70%. In addition to the testing guidelines the SAR dog team can be asked to provide their training logs for the certifying authorities review, handlers should bring these to the test.
Appendix
A: Definition of Competent authority or authorities
The Coordinator with the help of the Board will select an evaluator or evaluators to help in certification. This evaluator or evaluators could be chosen from the following:
1. Evaluators who are operational field personnel from the unit or from a unit, which works in similar circumstances.
2. Someone from Law Enforcement, including but not limited to City, County, etc., representing user agencies.
3. Patrol members who have been canine handlers or who have attended at least four dog practices in the last two years.
4. Dog handlers or trainers from outside agencies who present acceptable resumes.
Appendix
B. Definition of Documentation
1. The handler should maintain a regular training log, which includes any training or practices attended by the handler. This log should include, date, time, location and type of training. If the training is with the canine, it should include the type of terrain and ground cover, time of day, temperature, type and duration of a problem, how the canine worked, successes, challenges, areas for improvement, and other information deemed appropriate. The log should be made available at any training or for any evaluator or user agency upon request and at all testing.
2. Attendance— 50% of all PANSAR activities (missions when applicable) work days, demos, to include 60% of training activities to remain on an active status. Members will have 30 days to bring up and will resume active status once current (can only go on a mission when requested by the IC). Once current must remain current for a minimum of 60 days, if not they will be put on an inactive status for an additional 30 days. If a member does not become current and remain current for a period of 90 days, (will not respond to any missions).
3. Excused--physically at work, serious illness immediate of family, death in the family, etc. A written request of leave of absence is required when you are unable to attend activities for an extended period of time. The Board will review all request of leave of absence. If working a work schedule will be placed on file, with date and times you are working.
Appendix
C: Definitions
Ability to redirect a dog from a find:
The dog, on command will leave a victim he has found to search for additional subjects.
Ability to evaluate conditions and use
proper strategy:
Handler analyzes all factors that can affect probability of detection; terrain, vegetative cover, slopes sun angle, cloud cover, wind, size of assignment, travel aids; and chooses an approach most likely to result in the highest probability of detection within the time allotted. Strategies may include hasty searching, perimeter searching, track cutting, contour griding, running ridges, running canyon bottoms, geometric griding or combinations of that; strategies are changed with changes in conditions.
Ability to read the SAR dogs alert:
The handler can interpret the body language or trained responses of the dog that signify the dog has detected human scent.
Ability to travel through different search
conditions:
To be properly prepared and able to search in different conditions such as cold, rain darkness, intense heat, high humidity, etc. that are present in the locality of the search assignments.
Adequate physical condition:
To be able to travel adequately and safely in the working environment in which they respond.
Aggression:
The behavior of a dog toward other dogs or people that could result in intentional physical injury.
Alert:
A describable behavior from the dog, obvious to the handler and an observer, that the dog has detected the subject's scent. This could physical behavior, body posture, barking, etc. An alert considered is considered a clue and should be reported to the incident commander or planning section. Depending on the strength of the alert, this can be done immediately or at the debriefing.
Air Scenting Dog/Area Search Dog:
The dog is usually oriented to airborne particles and scent originating from the subject. Characteristically, the dog is searching the air currents for the evidence. These dogs may completely ignore the ground deposits, or, on the other hand, may alert on the airborne scent originating from ground deposits like a trailing dog. This canine is used to search a specific area. It is not expected that an area search dog will require a scent article before searching, but one may be used at the discretion of the handler. The air scent or area search dog should generally work off lead and search for clues such as human scent in an area. The canine should have a distinct alert readable by the handler. The canine should do a refind or provide other means of signaling the handler, until the handler and the lost subject are together.
Area searching:
The dog team searches an area for human scent, the dogs usually work in air scent mode, locates the source, and indicates the source to the handler.
Article searching:
The dog searches for, finds and indicates to the handler an inanimate object that has human scent coming from it.
Article indication:
A describable behavior from the dog, obvious to the handler and an observe, that an article has been found.
Bark alert:
The dog remains at the subject's location and barks until the handler or other searchers come to that location.
Cadaver Searching:
The dog searches for, finds, and indicates to the handler, scent coming from deceased human parts either on the surface of the ground, or underwater.
Canine Good Citizen:
A test used to determine the confidence and control of a dog.
Discriminating alert, different for live
person, cadaver, and article:
Dogs' alert can be distinguished in different situations by intensity or based on different commands, work ups, or situations specific to the search target.
Dog Endurance Minimum:
Ability to work for a duration of time while maintaining optimum performance.
Dog Team:
For the purpose of this document, a dog team is defined as one dog and one handler who normally train and work together. A support person[s] may also be present.
Find:
For the purposes of this document, when the subject is located by the dog team and the handler has physically touched the subject.
Handler:
The human part of the team. This person is responsible for the canine at all times.
Handler skills:
The skills of the handler that relate training, motivating, and working the dog so to optimize the dog's skills. Also included are the handler's understanding of and ability to evaluate search conditions and use proper strategy while adjusting the strategy for changing conditions.
Hasty Search:
Searching an area rapidly while concentrating on areas of highest probability in an attempt to locate a subject quickly. This is in contrast to micro searching.
Indication:
A describable behavior from the dog, obvious to the handler and an observer, that the dog has found the subject. The indication may vary depending on the type of find, live, cadaver, barking for inaccessible victims, sitting beside an article, etc. The indication may be part of a refind-recall sequence.
Micro-Searching:
The behavior of a dog handler not to trust their dog and detail search an area visually.
Negative:
A behavior of the dog when it has lost the scent.
P.O.D. :
Ability to estimate probability of detection, the handler understands the environmental conditions that affect the ability of the team to locate the subject. These conditions include knowledge of scent transported including the effect of air currents, wind terrain, vegetation, and humidity; the dog's and handler's physical and mental energy applied to the search; the difficulty of the cover and terrain; clues found in search area; and the length of time from the loss until the search began. The handler needs to be able to give the planning section a report telling how well, in percentages, the chance for detection was achieved.
Pooling Scent:
Human scent that has collected in an area without the subject being present.
Ranging:
Dog working away from the handler. The free-ranging dog works, under control of the handler, generally within sight and when sight is obstructed.
Recall:
The air scenting dog, finding the subject, returns to the handler.
Refind:
The air scenting dog, on finding the subject and returning to the handler, takes the handler back to the find.
Rewarding the dog for a find:
A demonstration that dog and handler work well together and searching is a positive experience for the dog; may include praise, play reward, food reward, or combinations.
Safety Awareness:
The handler is trained and can evaluate hazards, select search routes, and follow safety procedures for the working mode {such as avalanche awareness, use of personal floatation devices in water searching, etc.}.
Scent article:
An object that has just the scent of the subject. This may be an article of clothing, shoes, bedding, a sterile item with transferred scent, or personal items.
Scent cone:
In relationship to an air search dog, the pattern of scent dispersal caused by a constant breeze. The scent leaves the subject and spreads out down wind in a cone or fan shape.
Scent Discrimination:
The dog's ability to distinguish between the scent of different individuals and to work a specific scent to complete the search problem. Tracking/trailing dogs' that discriminate can pick out a specific trail from a scent article gave to them from that subject.
Searcher skills:
These are skills of the handler that relate to general search and rescue policies, procedures, practices, and safety.
Selection Testing:
The testing of a candidate dog to decide if the drives and temperament of the dog are suitable for search and rescue work.
Startup Ritual:
The sequence of actions and commands with the dog a handler goes through to begin a search.
Sweep size:
The distance between passes on an area search problem.
Tracking Dog:
This dog is oriented to the ground disturbance caused by the passage of the subject and in the strict sense of the term the dog should indicate almost each of the subject's footsteps. He should not vary more than one or two feet from these footsteps. This canine, generally working on lead, may require a scent article from the lost subject to begin searching. The canine should follow the scent trail until it identifies the lost subject.
Tracking/Trailing Dog:
This is a combination of the tracking dog and the trailing dog. This type of dog is generally used to identify a particular subject's scent on or very close to the ground. This dog, generally works on lead and may require a scent article from the lost subject to begin searching. The canine should follow the scent trail until it identifies the lost subject.
Trailing Dog:
This dog is oriented to the human scent "rafts" which have drifted to the ground along the person's route. The dog often works some distance from the actual footsteps.
Transportation:
Experience, familiarity and ease in being transported by means common to each working environment; for example, in the back of a truck, with other dogs and handlers, helicopter, fixed wing aircraft, boats, etc.
Unit:
A group of SAR Dog/Handler teams that normally train and work together. Support personnel who are non-canine handlers may be included.
Water Searching:
The dog, from shore or from a boat, alerts or indicates to the handler, the location on the surface of the water where scent from the cadaver is becoming airborne.
Work at Night:
Ability to work without daylight.