Canine Search Specialist Training

Canine Search Specialist Training STM Unit 7A: Canine Search Operations and the Role of the Search Team Manager

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

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

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

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

Attending Training STM should attend as many canine training sessions as possible This involvement improves the working relationship and team camaraderie with the canine handlers The STM’s Role in 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

The STM’s role in Certification • Certification Evaluation • Training and Certifying is an ongoing Mentoring process, which includes training at home and away from home • Foundation Skills Assessment • Certification Preparation • Certification Evaluation • Recertification

Other Considerations (continued) • Task Force General Requirements • There are FEMA system requirements for deployment • Make sure that the handlers have met these requirements

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

Duties and Responsibilities • 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

Team Work • The canine teams are a part of the team, but 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

Cache • Handlers should know the canine part of their cache • Should also learn how to prepare the cache for deployment

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

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

Considerations During a Deployment (continued) • At the POD • Task Force Responsibilities • Kennels should be used to keep the canines quiet • Handlers should assist in preparation for departure

Considerations During a Deployment (continued) • At the POD • Logistics/Loadmaster (Military or Civilian) Loading of Canines • STM and Logistics Manager confer • Loadmaster has ultimate say on how canines will be transported • If canines are flown commercially, they may travel in passenger compartment

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

Considerations During a Deployment (continued) • Onsite Operations • BoO • Canines kenneled in quiet area, which may be separate • Handlers need to be a part of the team and given assignments as necessary

Considerations During a Deployment (continued) • Onsite Operations • Cache • Important that handlers assist during this operation • It goes a long way toward acceptance as part of the task force

Considerations During a Deployment (continued) • Onsite Operations • Transportation • In some cases, ground transportation 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

Considerations During a Deployment (continued) • Onsite Operations • Operations • Post-operations

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

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

Considerations During a Deployment (continued) • Reassignment/Demobilization • BoO • Cache • After Action Report (AAR) • Documentation • Veterinarian Check • CISD

Assignments • When search assignments are tasked, make sure the handlers know their role and who they report to

Documentation • Documentation includes • Identification • Health certificate • DoD letter

The Media • The canine teams are camera magnets • If media approaches a handler, they should direct media to their STM, to PIO or have been given specific talking points • The media should not be distracting the canine

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

Unit Summary and Evaluation

Unit Summary • Describe the Search Team Manager’s role in handler and canine training and certification • Identify ways to effectively integrate the search canine component into the Task Force

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

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

Unit Evaluation Please fill out the evaluation form for this unit

Canine Search Specialist Training