Canine Search Specialist Training

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Canine Search Specialist Training

• Unit 0
• Welcome, Introductions, and Safety Overview

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Welcome to the FEMA USR Canine
Search Specialist Training
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Introductions

• Instructor cadre
• Hosting TF participants/Program Office
  Staff/Eagle
• Visitors
• Students
• Name
• Task Force
• CSS or STM
• K-9s name/age/breed/level

4
Ground Rules

• Classes will begin on time
• Attendance is mandatory
• Evening sessions
• Breaks last 15 minutes
• No smoking during class or exercises

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Ground Rules (continued)

• Presentations will be interactive
• Questions and dialogue are encouraged
• Questions on non-unit material will be addressed
  at the appropriate time
• Notes should be taken
• Dress will be TF uniform (appropriate PPE when
  required)

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Administrative Details

• Class roster
• Student Manual (SM)
• Student CD-ROM

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Course Objectives

• Function effectively as a search specialist and
  canine team in the disaster environment
• Perform the tasks according to procedures and
  guidelines that are required of the Canine Search
  Specialist position

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Course Overview

• Consists of
• 15 instructional units
• Field exercises
• Final Operational Exercise
• Program Update/Certification Process
• Roundtable

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Evaluation of Instruction

• Unit evaluations
• End-of-course evaluations
• Please complete

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Safety Overview
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Safety

• SAFETY IS A TEAM EFFORT
• All personnel must understand and do their part
  to insure the health and safety of search and
  rescue resources, and victims

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Response Operations

• Risks/hazards are a part of what we do
• We need to focus on common hazards found at all
  emergency scenes

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Fitness for duty

• Extended operations will reduce an individuals
  effectiveness over time
• Being fit will alleviate many issues

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Fitness for duty (continued)

• Disaster environmental issues
• Weather extremes
• Long hours
• Poor work conditions
• Poor sanitation conditions
• High levels of stress

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Safety equipment

• PPE
• Safety boots
• Respirator
• Helmet/headlamp
• Protective clothing
• Radio

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Security

• Civil disorder likely
• FEMA may be a target
• Curfews will affect USR operations
• BoO security

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Secondary explosions

• Gases
• Fuels
• Dust
• Improvised Explosive Devices

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Earthquake aftershocks

• Secondary collapses
• Confusion
• Loss of personnel accountability

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Air transportation

• Proper loading
• Safety restraints
• Temperature
• Noise and vibration
• Rotors and props

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Air operations in the vicinity

• Noise
• Rotor wash
• Dust and debris
• Blows unsecured items/personnel away

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Ground transportation

• Movement of large trucks, forklifts, and gators
  around BoO
• Personnel transported in pickups and gators

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Unfamiliar surroundings

• Roadways and bridges damaged or destroyed
• Access restricted
• Traffic signs and other landmarks may not survive

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Injuries

• Injury to TF members is a serious concern
• Damaged medical infrastructure
• Everyone must take precautions to minimize
  injuries

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HazMat

• Be aware of potential exposure
• Direct exposure
• Indirect exposure

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Decontamination

• Canine search teams must have ability to clean
  and decon
• Decon at appropriate time and place

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Contaminated air and water

• Be aware of potential contaminants in
• Air
• Water

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Food service

• Spoiled food
• Improperly prepared food
• Civilians with good intentions will donate food
  to team members, but

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Electrical hazards

• Re-energizing of power grids
• Jury-rigged connective boxes in base camp
• Overloaded power circuits tapped into by USR TFs

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Adverse weather

• Have appropriate weather gear
• Be ready for varying conditions

NOAA
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LCES

• L-Lookouts
• C-Communications
• E-Escape Routes
• S-Safe Zones

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Safety during this course

• Safety principles will be adhered to at all times
• Report
• Unsafe conditions
• Injuries

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Unit Summary and Evaluation
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Unit Summary

• Introductions
• Ground rules and administrative details
• Course objectives
• Student evaluation
• Course evaluation
• Safety overview

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Unit Evaluation

• Please fill out the evaluation form for this unit