III.General

The purpose of the certification process is to identify the basic minimum skills needed by a handler/search Canine team for NIMS Type level (1),(2),(3) resources and teams.

Minimum Requirements for Testing

Handler

  • Handlers shall be eighteen (18) years of age or older at the date of testing
  • Completedbasic First Aid and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) using either Red Cross, National Safety Council or American Heart Association guidelines for emergency responders
  • Completed Canine First Aid and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation
  • Completed FEMA/DHS mandated National Incident Management Systems (NIMS ) NIMS 100 NIMS 200, NIMS 700, NIMS 800 Classes
  • Complete Blood Borne Pathogens (BBP) using either Red Cross, National Safety Council or American Heart Association guidelines for emergency responders
  • Complete Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) or Fundamentals of Search And Rescue (FUNSAR) or equivalent as specified in Kar 39F

Canine

  • Canines shall be at least one (1) year old at the time of certification.
  • All canines shall be friendly to humans and other canines and under the control of the handler at all times. Each Canine shall be on a leash or secured when not testing.
  • No aggressive, aggression or Schutzhund trained Canine shall be tested.
  • A handler must provide a valid certificate of veterinary health on the certification date. Certificates of veterinary health are valid for 30 days
  • All canines shall have a certificate of AKC Canine Good Citizenship
  • All canines shall have proof of current rabies shot with a tag or equivalent documentation

General Requirements

  • A handler shall have working knowledge of the use of topographical maps andcompass headings.
  • A handler who strikes, beats, or in any way abuses their Canine or is rude or discourteous to staff and other handlers shall be immediately disqualified from testing their Canine.
  • A handler who strikes, beats, or in any way abuses their Canine shall be immediately disqualified from testing their Canine.

A handler shall have knowledge of the use of radio equipment and generalized Search and Rescue operational procedures

  • A handler shall have knowledge of scent patterns, wind direction, and scent theory.
  • A handler and Canine shall successfully complete all prerequisite components and components of testing in their area of specialty prior to applying for the evaluation.

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Additional requirements for Advanced NIMS Type resources and teams.

  • Complete requirement for as identified for level (5),(4),(3) type
  • Complete National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) 300
  • Complete Managing Search Function or Managing a Search Operation or equivalent as identified in KAR 39F