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OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES FOR THE HANDLER

Before commencing a search the following procedures must be carried out: -

PREPARATION SEARCH PHASE
bulletFamiliarisation of the search area
bulletSearch brief, work within incident command system. 
bulletRisk assessment.

Areas for consideration when carrying out a risk assessment for a collapsed structure search.
bulletBuilding's use & layout.
bullet Number of occupants.
bullet Number of victims trapped and their probable location.
bullet Are rescue operations currently underway.
bulletWhat areas have been searched or disturbed by the search operation. 
bulletThe presence of wild & domesticated animals
bulletPresence of hazards:
bulletMains gas or other forms of portable gas type cylinders.
bulletControl of Substances Hazardous to Health 

Flammable
Explosive
Irritant
Corrosive
Toxic
Oxidizing
Anoxia (reduces the oxygen available in the air)
Carcinogens

 
bullet Electrical systems (low & high voltage)
bullet Flooding from burst mains
bullet Plumbing and sewer disruption
bulletOpen windows / exposed edges at height
bulletExcessive broken glass and other hazards like protruding nails that may cause injury to the dogs feet

bullet

Structural stability of the building/s including adjoining buildings.

Areas for consideration when carrying out a risk assessment for a open / urban area.
bulletHazards
bulletRivers
bulletRoads / Traffic
bulletRailway lines
bulletSteep ground
bulletSheer drops (bridges, walls, subways, etc)
bulletExposed edges at height
bulletExcessive broken glass and other sharp objects

 

bulletLink to documentation relating to risk assessments

 
bulletAssigned Safety coordinator with communications equipment.
bullet Team preparation for search.
bulletHand in tally to search controller for area searches and for collapsed structural searches exchange for personal / dog entrapment transponders. 

SEARCH PHASE
bullet Implement the Safe Systems of Work.  Link to S.S.W.s
bullet Carryout  a constant dynamic risk assessment throughout the period of the search.
bulletFree search (will be repeated depending on size of search)
bulletSystematic search.  (will be repeated depending on size of search)
bulletPerimeter search. (will be repeated depending on size of search)   Link to Search Procedures

 

POST SEARCH PHASE

 
bulletA full physical body check of the dog for any injuries that may have been sustained during the search.
bulletDe-brief team leader / sector commander regarding search, including any points of interest / indications that the dog may of shown.
bullet These can take the form of:
                     - Hot de-brief immediate, feedback during search
                     - Progress report
                     - Post de-brief formal feedback after search operation
bulletCarry out personal administration to prepare handler and the dog for next search.

The follow points must also be considered by the handler when carrying out a search:

bulletUse a Systematic method for breaking down the search area size.
bulletSearch the area effectively by directing the dog into all areas and watch for any indications that the dog may give.
bulletDo not take anything for granted use your initiative and never overlook any  obvious areas of the search.
bulletWhen in doubt follow the dog’s instinct rather than rationalising from a handlers point of view.  The area can always be researched afterwards following the handler's instincts if required.
bulletAlways be vigilant of the weather conditions around you and use them to your advantage.
bulletAlways be on the constant lookout for any hazards that may cause injury to yourself and especially the dog who does not rationalise from this point of view.

 

  UK / International Deployment of an UKFSSART Dog Teams 

An international SAR operational dog team consists:
- 2 dogs & handlers
- 2 Safety Coordinators

  Call out procedures to an operational incident within the UK will be a minimum of two teams:

TEAM ONE
 - 2 dogs & handlers          Tasked to Incident
 - 2 Safety coordinators     Tasked to Incident

TEAM TWO
 - 2 dogs & handlers          On Stand-by
 - 2 Safety coordinators    On Stand-by

Further teams will be deployed via the national UK Fire Service Search & Rescue Dog rota, depending on the size and type of incident

Call outs for local incidents will be managed via brigade control rooms.

Major UK deployments will be managed via national mobilisation strategy.

Safety Coordinator Duties

Must be a competent search trained person that has an understanding how an operational SAR Dog Team work.

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The role of the safety person is to look after the personal safety of the handler and his dog who is working at that time.

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Look out for any obvious danger that the handler may of overlooked whilst concentrating on working their dog.

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 Inform the handler of any possible areas that they may of overlooked / missed.

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Mark any points of interest / indications given by the dog team and relay / communicate with rescue team. 

 

 

 

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The site is designed and maintained by Chris Pritchard UK Fire & Rescue Service USAR Dog Teams 2002 - 2008  ©  
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Last revised date 21 May 2008