Canine Search Specialist

Requirements

  • Carry 50 lbs.
  • Able to live and work in an austere environment

Certification Requirements Prior to Application

Additional Training Requirements

  • FEMA Canine Search Specialist Course
  • FEMA Canine Search Team Certification
  • GPS Operations
  • Rope Rescue Awareness
  • Trench Rescue Awareness
  • Duties of the Entrant
  • Rope Rescue Skills
  • Bloodborne Pathogens
  • Confined Space Awareness
  • CPR
  • Critical Incident Stress Management
  • Enhanced Operations in a Contaminated Environment
  • FEMA USAR Orientation
  • Hazmat Operations for First Responders
  • Structural Collapse Awareness
  • Water Rescue Awareness
  • WMD Awareness

Annual Training requirements

  • Operational Readiness or Mobilization Exercise
  • Search Team Skill Sets,
  • Canine training daily in your home area and weekly in College Station

Additional Training Recommendations

Expected time commitment

Financial Commitment

Deployment Equipment List

  • Sleeping gear
    • The TF will provide a cot and sleeping bag
  • Personal hygiene items
  • Boots
    • The TF will provide one pair of wide area search boots to each member
    • You will need to provide structural collapse boots (ref ansi info)
  • Canine Gear bag (30 inch rolling duffle recommended)
  • Canine food container
  • Canine boots, eye and ear protection
  • Extra collars and leashes for use in contaminated environments/decontamination process
  • Long line
  • Canine sleeping pad

Canine Specific Expenditures

  • Appropriate living accommodations for the canine (yard, kennel, etc.)
  • Purchase of canine or adoption fees
  • Canine food and supplements
  • Food and water bowls
  • Canine veterinary care
    • Preventative care (heartworm treatment, flea/tick prevention, annual vaccinations
    • Post injury care
  • Crates for the canine (minimum 2; one in the home and one in your vehicle)
  • Leashes, collars, training collars
  • Canine reward items (treats and toys)
  • Cost for travel to and from training every week can add up quickly. We recommend calculating that cost and adding that to your anticipated expenditures.