SAR DOG COMMITTEE MEETING
2/25/09
Frankfort Emergency Management Office Complex
Committee Members Present:
Lannis Garnett
Cletus Smith
Pam Brock
Patty Petzinger
Kevin Baker (& Guest)
Buck Bumgardner
Tammie Bumgardner
Patsy Smith
Fonzie Medley
Discussion was held regarding recommended Veterinary requirements for dogs that are planning to certify on state level (see attachment for Tammie’s proposed list).
Legal requirements etc. Topics discussed:
- Rabies Certificate
- Veterinary vaccine certificate stating that dog is in good health and should be capable of performing required tasks for SAR work
- Only require Veterinary certification for Rabies vaccine and health certificate that you would need to travel across state lines
- Dog’s health is ultimately the responsibility of the handler/owner.
- Develop a form which may be downloaded, 1 page document as a dog’s health certificate stating requirements are met for state certification; any limitations may be documented by Veterinarian. (Tammie to develop form)
Create Document to be included with packet to submit to veterinarians.
Certificate of Veterinary Health – within 120 days
- If dog cannot meet physical requirements (i.e. jumps), handler must be physically capable of lifting dog over obstacle.
Lannis discussed setting criteria for cadaver; land, water, collapsed structure, vehicle, etc. Should this be done at later date as State certification is based on Wilderness and water under the realm of Emergency Management?
- Also, KRS – law enforcement issue re cadaver
Kevin Baker read over General requirements for Tracking/Trailing dogs.
Discussion was brought up regarding whether female dogs in estrus shall be tested as they may be an unfair distraction to other handlers and dogs of both sexes while testing.
It was voted that no female dogs in estrus shall be permitted to test.
No dogs exhibiting aggression towards people or other dogs will be permitted to test
State affiliation-
- Teams will have to meet all requirements listed in KAR & Chapt. 39F as a specialty rescue squad in order to apply for state affiliation status.
- Discussion was brought up as what actually should constitute a search dog team? Right now teams are only required to have 1 dog to be considered a “Team”. Wording needs to be clarified.
- Kevin Baker suggested that there needs to be some type of regional notification system with a regional list of state certified teams.
- A list of single resource handlers/ dogs (for those who are not members of specialty resource teams)
- Each specialty team must list resources and capabilities
State Certification checklist discussed:
- Applications sent into area managers, then to Frankfort?
- Time frames need to be set to dictate time limits for area managers to get your applications submitted in a timely fashion
- Suggested 90 day time frame; 60 days to notify of any missing items from application packet, 30 days to get necessary paperwork resubmitted.
- Tammie and Patsy to work on application packet
Lannis reviewed:
- Air Scent requirements
- Social skills for dogs
- Obedience requirements
- Night problem, size of area to search (15 to 20 acres for long problem), 1 hour to complete search
- 15 minutes to locate search area on topo map; black and white copy to be given to handlers
- Victim will be dressed for maximum concealment and will be unknown to handler and the dog
- Hasty search distance taken down to 1/8 mile from ¼ mile, 15 min to complete, set up to the advantage of dog
- No dogs to be tied out and left; Dogs shall be held by another handler
Handler requirements:
- GSAR, BSAR or Equivalent
- 1st Aid/CPR./BBP
- NIMS 100, 200, 700, 800
Dog Requirements:
- Letter from Vet
- Rabies
- CGC
Agility & Obedience:
- Draw 1 of 3 obedience and 2 of 5 agility
- Socialization – CGC accepted
Qualifications for Evaluators:
- 5 years proven experience as dog handler in area of discipline for lead evaluator
- Must have sign off by individual team leaders, squad chiefs or county SAR coordinator, or area coordinator stating that you have a minimum of 5 years experience working a search and rescue dog
- Must meet or exceed all requirements for testing
Next meeting dates tentatively scheduled for March 11 and March 18, 2009