Canine Search Specialist Training

1. Canine Search Specialist Training Module 11: Program Update and Certification Process

2. Unit Objective Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to describe the current DHS/FEMA Canine Search Specialist Certification Process

3. Enabling Objectives • Describe how the current canine program evolved • Describe the current Canine Search Specialist Certification Process

4. Development of the Canine Program

5. Development of the Canine Program • Canine subcommittee formed in early 1990’s Mission Statement: The mission of the DHS/FEMA Canine Subcommittee is to assist Task Forces in the acquisition, training, certification and maintenance of certified disaster search canine teams as resources for the National US&R Response System.

6. Past • Evolution—drew from wilderness groups • Canine Program left largely to its own devices • Volunteers structured and built the program • Post OKC—Funding, Standards • 2003—Change in Program Office—canine system restructured with funding and support

7. Present • Subcommittee composed of 6 members (two from each Region, one is an elected chair) • Rotate membership every three years • Subcommittee charged with developing, revising, updating and interpreting Certification Process

8. 1-1-06 • One certification (former advanced test) • All Type II teams expired end of 2008 • As of 1-1-08, all deployed teams have been tested on multiple piles, multiple victims and distractions

9. Training, Assessment, and Certification

10. Training • CSST course • Certification Preparation • Training Workshops

11. Evaluator Program • Shadow Process (current moratorium) • Conference calls • Rotation Roster

12. Certification • Mentoring • CSST • FSA • Cert Prep • CE • Recertification

13. Certification Evaluations • Current Certification Process allows for funded Tests and Cert Preps • Spread evenly across the country • Scheduled annually about 6 months in advance • Numbers of certifications continue to increase

14. FSA • Aggression • Obedience • Bark alert • Agility • Directionals • Rubble search

15. Aggression test

16. Obedience

17. Bark Alert (raised to 6 barks minimum)

18. Directability

19. Agility

20. Rubble

21. Certification Evaluation 2007 • Two Piles—limited access/full access • 4-6 victims—0-4 on full access, at least 1 on limited access • One miss allowed • Distractions—any/both piles • No false alerts • 20 minute search time

22. Questions?

23. Unit Summary and Evaluation

24. Unit Summary • Describe the development of the Canine Search Specialist Certification Process • Describe the current process

25. Unit Evaluation Please fill out the evaluation on this unit