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Emergency Group in Hunt for volunteers |
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by Linda Andreu
CHARITY rescue group, Emergency Search Dogs.
The organisation is urgently seeking volunteers to train as handlers and safety persons, and to act as ‘bodies’ for the dogs to find.
Emergency Search Dogs was set up to train dogs and their handlers in urban rescue. Unlike mountain rescue, the dogs are specifically trained to detect live human scent in collapsed structures after earthquakes and bombing, or large crash sites. A variety of human scents and locations are needed to ensure the dogs’ training is comprehensive.
Training is a dedicated process and it can take up to three years for dog and handler to become qualified.
Current volunteers come from Leuchars, Dundee, Perth, Kirkcaldy and Auchterarder, and train in the disused buildings at Crail Airfield every Sunday in all weathers. Members come from all walks of life and almost any breed of dog can train as a search dog if they love ‘hide and seek’.
The dogs enjoy the training as a game, little realising that their skills could mean the difference between life and death. Positive, reward-based training is used throughout and the safety of dog and handler is of paramount importance at all times. Each team consists of a dog, the handler and a safety backup who watches out for potential hazards to the team while they work.
The group works closely with other emergency services and rescue teams as part of NUSARDG (National Urban Search and Rescue Dog Group). Launched this month, the organisation was set up by the Fire Service Inspectorate to ensure in the event of a serious emergency, volunteer groups could assist the emergency services without being regarded as a liability.
Despite the effort and expense involved in setting up the group and training, Emergency Search Dogs receives no Government funding. As it is a completely separate organisation from Mountain Rescue it is not eligible to receive any part of the money allocated by the Government to these groups. The original members have bought almost all of their lifesaving equipment with their own money, with some sponsorship. Emergency Search Dogs offer their services free to anyone in the UK and abroad. Now a registered charity, it is hoped that vital funds and public awareness of the group’s work can be raised on Saturday.
The handlers and their dogs are always happy to answer questions and frequently visit schools and groups to give talks and demonstrations.
New volunteers are always welcome and the group would be particularly interested in anyone who has medical or first aid training. Contact team leader Harry Spence on 01334 838379 or 07834 533376.
More people are desperately needed to train Emergency Search Dogs.
http://www.emergencysearchdogs.co.uk
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