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November & December 1993Vol. 13, No. 35TH INTERNATINAL SYMPOSIUM ON RESCUE DOGSStockholm, Sweden 17-20 May 1993by Bob KoenigWOW--what a presentation! The Swedish Working Dog Association rescue dog skills and showmanship were incredible, very impressive. The site was at the Rescue Service College, a modern rescue training academy in Roserberg. The school sat next to 1-3 square miles of "disaster city" nestled in a corner of one of Sweden's Royal Palace grounds. The opening program, on the lawn of the Royal Palace, was the raising of the colors to the chords of the Royal Navy Band. We then were introduced to the volunteer Swedish Working Dog Association, who train dogs, and volunteers for the army, air force and civil defense, also sports like obedience, agility and protection. The show then began with a man wisking by on roller-skis pulled by a harnessed dog, a trailing dog getting his man, and three area-search dogs clearing a field. Just as the last two-way, military message dog reached his handler, a helicopter landed disgorging an armed military patrol, who proceeded to track through the bystanders to arrest two "bad guys" hiding nearby. Most impressive of all, the dogs! They were cheerful, happy workers. The following days were filled with lectures and demonstrations, including: Dogs in the Swedish Voluntary Defense; Puppy Training and Testing; Water, Avalanche and Disaster Training in the U.S. (Marcia Koenig); Training in the U.K., Sweden and Germany; Sense of Smell; Trailing and Tracking in the U.S. (Peter Fabrik); and Emergency Care (Vikki Fenton). My job was to set up and run the USA-NASAR table, answer questions about the U.S. and our dog training programs, and provide a meeting point for U.S. handlers and friends. I arranged for a table in the display area and hung up the new NASAR patch blanket. With much-appreciated help from Jean (Sessions) Hooks, the official U.S. representative for both the State Department and FEMA, and Marcia Koenig, the NASAR representative, we passed out piles of RESPONSE magazines, NASAR brochures and bookstore catalogs. Also, we were ready to trade with our foreign friends, NASAR patches and pins for similar items. Evening sessions brought heated discussions on starting an International Rescue Dog Organization (IRO). The German representative said we needed to set up international standards and train/test dogs and handlers to them. He envisioned several degrees and levels: one for basic rescue obedience, followed by tracking (2 levels), area search (2 levels), disaster search (2 levels), avalanche search (3 levels), and water search (4 levels). Anyone not holding these degrees would not be "allowed" to work. (He never described how he would pull that one off.) A few glitches arose. He neglected several things, to include any other German rescue dog group (of which there were several) or their standards and to inform the UN. (Whose representative said that it was already done, using Swiss standards. So the whole organization was moot.) He was telling sovereign nations what to do (not likely). The whole thing was probably illegal within the laws of the new European Community. The vote was held on whether to organize per the Germans. Of the 300 conference attendees, 114 were in the room and 66 voted yes (26 from Austria), 44 abstained (the dissenters), and 2 voted no (both U.S. and NASAR representatives). Our thinking is that you can educate with materials and examples, a free sharing of ideas. But the minute you start to exclude factions or groups, dictate techniques and methods, you stifle the new and innovative while creating enemies, leading to your own destruction. We support education and sharing freely so other nations can set up their own systems for their own needs. I must tell you, the next few days, people were continuously stopping us and thanking us for standing up for what they, too, believed but couldn't speak openly. But they were behind us. There were also training exercises and demonstrations: a half-day of step-by-step training techniques on rubble; a scenic boat ride tour enhanced by patrol-dog, carrying helicopter; assault boats with dogs and men; dog teams rappeling from the highway bridge; a water search demo for a dive; and a full-scale all-out disaster demo. As we watched, an enemy bomber was reported. Air-raid sirens howled. Suddenly, the sound of a jet and three tremendous explosions were heard near the disaster town. Thick black smoke curled up from a dozen locations, buildings and cars. And in the distance, sirens of fire and rescue trucks wailed. With practiced precision, an operation center was set up at a van. Military trucks unloaded the field hospital with rows of stretchers and lines of boxes, containing blankets and bandages. The rescue trucks arrived and teams assembled while firemen choked the fires. Through the smoke, dog teams pushed through the buildings while rescue personnel pryed at the slabs the handlers flagged. Within minutes, the first casualties were being led or carried to the hospital just as the first medivac helicopter arrived. PHEW! My hat off to Sweden and a great conference. Back to Articles
IN SEARCH OF...THE 6TH SYMPOSIUMYour Place or Mine?Report to NASAR, May 1993by Bob KoenigAt the 4th International Symposium (Berlin 1991), there was discussion on where to hold future meetings. Sweden was all set for the 1993 conference. But what about 1995 and later (every odd year)? England was trying for 1995 against Austria. Since England (like Sweden) would not allow dogs in the country because of quarantine regulations, England would have to wait. The conference wanted to alternate years with countries that allowed dogs in. Austria met the requirement and would also be celebrating a national dog anniversary that year. This was where the conference representative and the Pedigree/PAL Dog Food representative stepped in. Pedigree/PAL has supported every conference in Europe, donating thousands of dollars each year. They asked me if the U.S. would like to discuss sponsoring this event. I quickly assembled the "official" U.S. representatives: Marcia Koenig (NASAR), Jean Hooks (OFDA and U.S. State Department), Vikki Fenton (FEMA) and Dr. Marian Olsen (Executive Director of FEMA, Denver Region). We were flattered and pleased to be asked, but this was short notice for a decision involving approximately $100,000. And a couple of years work for staff. Marcia said she would transmit the request to the NASAR office but thought it was possible. Jean said she could not commit the State Department but would pass along the request. Marian, however, said she had a staff at the FEMA office in Denver, who could assist the local teams. With FEMA manpower available, the conference would be possible allowing for visibility and a tie into the federal system, necessary for an international meeting. We agreed to work towards this goal, expecting future progress reports. Later, all countries were asked to select someone to represent them. Marcia, Jean and Vikki chose Caroline Hebard to be our interim U.S. representative. Back in the States, Marcia reported this idea to the NASAR Board, Peggy McDonald and the NASAR office. They concluded that for NASAR to run such a massive conference, it would work best in conjunction with the annual NASAR conference. This would also be an excellent opportunity for all U.S. search groups to meet the international delegates and guests. But no more came of this discussion. No more until two weeks before the 1993 conference in Sweden. Someone called from Sweden asking about the planned U.S. 1995 conference in Boulder, CO. We knew nothing about it. When we arrived in Sweden and got the conference materials, I noted the final closing act of the last day: "USA representative will take over (receive the flag for) the 6th International Rescue Dog Symposium in 1995." I was surprised. Jan Brennan from SARDUS (Search and Rescue Dogs of the U.S.) filled me in. Her group along with Front Range Rescue Dogs (Ann Wichmann) and Marian Olsen were to host the event in Boulder, CO. They were excited about it and had a lot of ideas in the works. Since Ann is from the host team, she will be the recipient of the colors. Jan hopes there will be active participation from NASAR, OFDA and FEMA to make it a great event. Later, several conference organizers came over to us (Marcia, Jean and me) concerned. They had just leamed SARDUS was not, in fact, a government agency and Marian Olsen no longer worked for FEMA. We assured them that SARDUS was a respected group of people and that they would do a quality job. A table was set up and stacks of pre-printed SARDUS 1995 flyers and maps of Colorado were passed out. Many people expressed the hope to travel in the western U.S. after the meeting. Jan Brennan accepted the flag for the 1995 U.S. conference, a U.S. flag with the emblem of SARDUS attached to the border (similar to all previous conference flags). When I arrived home, I was interested in seeing the SARDUS News mention the conference. It was set for July 1995. Enclosed was an application form to join and a note that they would soon be non-profit and tax exempt. A list of SARDUS Board of Directors was also included and a thanks to ALPO for their funding. After such a great conference in Sweden, the U.S. has quite a challenge. But nevertheless an exciting opportunity. BOULDER 1995! See you there. Back to Articles
SEARCH BRIEFSFrom the Downieville, CA Mountain Messenger: On November l6, Sierra County SAR personnel were called to assist in locating a "lost" soldier just west of the California/Nevada line. The soldier is a member of a Special Forces unit from Fort Campbell, KY. The unit flew to Stead Air Force Base to participate in field exercises in the Dog Valley area of the Toiyabe National Forest. The soldier was present as an observer and was to evaluate teams in the reconnaissance exercise. He was reported missing about 8 am, Tuesday, but had last been seen late Monday morning. Military searchers were unsuccessful throughout Monday afternoon and evening. Civilian searchers from Sierra and Washoe Counties joined the search Tuesday morning. Over 60 searchers were in the field by noon. Search units included a mounted posse from Washoe County, dog teams supplied by California Office of Emergency Services, and Sierra County SAR personnel. Military helicopters provided both search and support capability throughout the event. The soldier was located about 1:30 pm by a helicopter, one mile from his last known location. He denied that he was lost. He explained that the noises of gunshots, helicopters, horses, dogs and people were part of the exercise. From the Buffalo Lake, MN News-Mirror: Gerald Cloutier could hear barking dogs in the distance and tossed more branches to the fire, but the cold drizzle continued to fall and he realized was in for a long night in the woods. Cloutier and his nephew had been hunting Sunday afternoon along the Minnesota River near Redwood Falls. They decided to separate and meet back at the car at nightfall. "It was getting dark so I decided to head back, but the drizzle had iced up my glasses and I guess I lost direction," Cloutier said. When he failed to return to the car, Redwood County Sheriffs' deputies, DNR officers, State Patrol and Redwood Falls police officers along with MINNSARDA search dogs were mobilized before 7 pm to begin the search. Three hours later, the search was called off and officials were prepared to resume at 7 am, Monday, with the help of an airplane. The search ended around 9 am, Monday morning when Cloutier walked out of the woods. "It was a pretty long night," he said. "I figured people were looking, so I built a fire and stayed put. I was in hunting coveralls so I stayed pretty warm. I guess at one point they missed me by an eighth of a mile. I kept the fire going." Cloutier praised the efforts of the search teams and thanked them for their help, saying the experience taught him one valuable lesson, "Quit earlier before it gets dark out." From the Waynesville, NC Mountaineer: In November, hypothermia and drowning claimed the lives of two hikers in separate incidents in the North Carolina mountains. A 20-year-old young man, a junior at Western Carolina University, went hiking with two companions on Whiteside Mountain and became separated from the others. He was reported missing at 4:30 pm, and 13 teams from the Search and Rescue Dog Association of North Carolina joined with the Jackson County Rescue Squad, Jackson County Sheriff's Department, Glenville-Cashiers Fire and Rescue, and CAP to search for the young man. The night temperatures plunged into the twenties. The next afternoon, his body was found by a SAR dog team on the side of Whiteside Mountain showing signs of hypothermia and drowning. SARDA of NC assisted the next day in a search for a Transylvania man. His body was found at 8:30 am in the Davidson River showing signs of hypothermia and drowning. From the Ouray, CO Ouray County Plaindealer: The body of a missing hunter was found Nov. 18 by ranchers searching for cattle on Uncompahgre Plateau. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death, according to Montrose Sheriffs' Office. Lucene Davis, 43, of Hot Springs, AR, had gone for a walk from a hunting camp Oct. 30 at the same time a severe snow storm was blowing into the area. He was reported lost by companions at the hunting camp. More than 60 people, five search dogs, a plane and helicopters searched for Davis. At one point, Davis's wife asked the governor for help looking for the lost hunter. Family and friends charged the Montrose Sheriff's Office with not conducting the search properly or long enough. Davis's body was found four miles from his camp. When an 81-year-old, female Alzheimer's patient walked away from a care home in rural Washington County, Indiana, on June 1, dog teams from Kentucky Search Dog Association and the Indiana Department of Corrections responded along with many other agencies and organizations. The subject was located, after 61 hours on June 4 about 3/4 of a mile from the PLS by the dog team from the Indiana Department of Corrections. She was in excellent condition even though she had spent several nights in the outdoors. She was airlifted to a Louisville, Kentucky hospital and released later that same day. A 14-year-old girl lost her right arm below the elbow when a boat ran her over Saturday, July 17. The girl was riding a kneeboard on Table Rock Lake, just south of the Missouri-Arkansas line, when she fell and another boat ran over her. Members of the Missouri Search and Rescue K-9 Unit responded Sunday morning. The handlers and their dogs, an Australian Shepherd, Doberman-Australian Cattle Dog mix, and two German Shepherds, worked from the shore and boats. Wave action caused by heavy boat traffic and on-lookers in boats, upwind of the search pattern, complicated search efforts. The dogs' alerts were marked by a marker buoy. Divers were deployed and they recovered the arm in 34 feet of water, 12 feet from the marker buoy. The Sheboygan Press reports that a German Shepherd-Labrador mix led searchers to an abandoned quarry where the body of a 20-year-old Green Bay, Wisconsin man was found by divers. The young man was fleeing through dark woods when police raided a party near the quarry early August. Friends, relatives and volunteers searched the forest and marshes for two days before the dog team from Kohler, WI, responded. The dog was certified in the spring, and this was her first search. The following are from Search and Rescue Dogs of Colorado (SARDOC): On June 28, a 25-year-old male left a trailhead in Summit County, CO, to check out some rock climbs. When he didn't return that evening, a handler from SARDOC responded with her Golden Retriever. They started at the trailhead where the subject was seen by a friend. About 1-2 miles down the trail, the dog alerted and the handler made voice contact with the subject. The subject had sustained an ankle injury when he took a 25-foot fall. He was evacuated with a Stokes litter and wheel. Four SARDOC teams, with a German Shepherd, Australian Cattle Dog, Belgian Malinois, and Border Collie, responded to a search for a 65-year-old male in Poudre Canyon near Ft. Collins, CO, on June 30 and July 1. The subject had suffered two strokes in the past and most likely would not respond to searchers. During the first part of the search in the evening, June 30, one dog had a weak alert in a drainage. Due to poor wind conditions, the dog was not able to follow up on the alert. The next morning, another dog team searched the same drainage. This dog confirmed the alerts of the first dog but was also unable to follow up on the alert, again due to the wind. The handler brought the dog back to the area when wind conditions improved, and the dog located the subject on the other side of the stream. The subject was almost invisible in the vegetation and was unresponsive to the searchers. One SARDOC team with a Border Collie responded with park rangers in Dinosaur National Monument to a search for a downed plane near the monument's boundary on July 29. The high probability area was determined by eyewitness reports, a video tape of the plane taking off and going down and coordinates from the ELT. The dog team worked in front of a line of grid searchers. Four hours into the search, the dog alerted to the wreckage. Neither the pilot nor the co-pilot survived the crash. A 37-year-old male became disoriented while scouting for elk in Larimer County, CO, on July 25. Two teams from SARDOC, a German Shepherd and Australian Shepherd, responded to search the rugged, steep terrain. Constant wind shifts complicated the search, but alerts from the Australian Shepherd led the dog team into a drainage. Once they reached the drainage, they made voice contact with the subject. Although the wind never allowed the dog to locate the subject's exact position, her alerts provided valuable clues which ultimately led to the subject. An 81-year-old man with Alzheimer's wandered away from his family's cabin on Diamond Mountain near Vernal, Utah, on August 18. Dog teams from Rocky Mountain Rescue Dogs (two German Shepherds, Bouvier, and Airdale), North American Search Dogs (German Shepherd) and Search and Rescue Dogs of Colorado (Border Collie) responded to the search. Approximately twelve hours into the search, the Border Collie from SARDOC located the subject about a mile southeast of the cabin. He had fallen on the steep slope, injuring his leg. But otherwise was in good condition. Back to Articles
LETTERSA Foreign RequestMick Moore, MIPDT, EMT 80 Winchester Drive Hensingham, Whitehaven United Kingdom Dear SAR Dog groups--U.S. and Canada: At present, I am a police officer in the United Kingdom and am trained as a first-aid instructor, police dog trainer and an EMT. Previous to this, I served with veterinary corps. If anyone out there can help with the addresses of a few groups or departments that I could contact regarding the use of SAR dogs, I would be most grateful. Many thanks to you all--Mick Moore WORLD YOUTH DAYBlessings in DisguiseFrom the Bulletin of the Arapahoe Rescue Patrol, Inc. Littleon, CO The Arapahoe Rescue Patrol, Inc. (ARP) was called to duty to assist in a major event--World Youth Day--in Denver for the Pope's visit. ARP is a group of active college students. Originally, 15 members volunteered to help but requests for more came in. Finally, ARP was able to commit 44 members to the activity. Early Saturday morning, team members found that the casualty count was going to be much higher than projected (2,000-4,000 casualties for the two day event). Certain systems were already overloaded, including communications and litter teams. Later in the evening, an additional 18 ARP members arrived at 9:30 pm. By 6 am, Sunday, with assistance from the Alpine Rescue Team, 11 litter teams were ready, in position, at the park designated for the Papal Mass. Unfortunately, field rescue personnel had no radio equipment, and communications began to break down. ARP command personnel throughout the venue were monitoring various radio systems, dispatching litters when reports came in. The search and rescue channel (Mountain Rescue 1) then became the only means of communication and worked well, but it overloaded quickly. And victims started diverting the litter teams for their own victims. Backups would be sent and sometimes diverted. Radio logs indicated 297 calls were dispatched for patients. Field teams reported an additional 300 transports. The medical stations out in the park were overwhelmed with casualties. There were several triage systems coordinated with the paramedic crews from Denver General Hospital (DGH) in the field. Treatment for many more patients was done without need for transportation. Two litter teams became cruising units, breaking up into 8 smaller teams. Members began escorting (rather carrying) casualities to the aid stations when litter teams were backed up with 3 to 4 victims, waiting for each. Long after the service was over, victims continued to show up (or fall down). Personnel worked until almost 5:30 pm, retrieving these injured spectators. Paperwork and communications overload left less than desired statistics, but SAR personnel from ARP and Alpine Rescue Team worked very hard. Saturday, their total litter patient count was 160-175, with 30-40 treat and release patients. Sunday, as reported, brought 297 recorded calls and 300 more out in the field, assisting DGH paramedics in triage. That day, their treat and release patient count escalated well over 300 people! Note: these totals were only for ARP and Alpine. Thousands of other patients were treated by other emergency personnel. But the amount of patient care was staggering! Safety was always a factor and mandatory rest breaks, sheduled for hydration (on Sunday--two minutes, if you were lucky). No SAR personnel were injured or became ill during the activity. ARP and Alpine teams held up well together; their strong commitment to serve the community, without complaint, but sore muscles. They deserve a great commendation for their stalwart efforts in such a disaster. (Even, a back rub!) - Ed. Back to Articles
INTERNATIONAL RESCUE DOG ORGANIZATIONOn May 19, 1993, in the course of the International Rescue Dog Symposium in Stockholm, the International Rescue Dog Organization was founded. Founding members came from rescue dog organizations in Germany, Finland, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Netherlands, Austria, Sweden, Czech Republic and the USA. The elected officers were:President Dr. Wolfgang Zorner (Austria) 1st Vice-President Sven Wergard (Sweden) 2nd Vice-President Eva Istvankova (Czech Republic) Representative Robert Gibson (New Zealand) Representative Caroline Hebard (USA) Representative Neil Powell (Ireland) Bylaws and International Tests for Rescue Dogs have been written and distributed. Presently, they are in German but are being translated in English. The Board of Directors met October 16 and 17, l993 to discuss membership. For information, contact: Caroline Hebard, 104 Ballantine Road, Bernhardsville, NJ 07924--- Back to Articles
SEARCH AT SALLDEBROOKOr Tennis Anyone?Prologue: If you are a dog handler attending an annual NASAR conference, BEWARE! Be prepared to go on a search. Remember...Mexico City from the conference in Nashville, the missing hiker in the California mountains from the first Reno conference, the search for a stolen search dog at Salt Lake City, and the missing young woman at the Phoenix conference. Here's another tale to add to the list... Shirley S. lived in a house at Saddlebrook Resort, FL, and liked to take long walks (at least five miles) twice a day. She would check houses for owners who were out of town, collect tennis balls from under shrubbery, and visit with neighbors and kids. Last Christmas, her husband John S. gave her a tennis bracelet with two carat diamonds. She wore it every day on her walks. One day, as Shirley returned home, she realized her bracelet was missing. (For anyone who's lost jewelry, Agh!) For three days, Shirley, John (who had failed to insure it!) and the neighbors searched for the bracelet. Shirley heard about the NASAR convention and decided to see if someone there could help her, particularly the dogs. Naturally, the answer was "yes" as a number of handlers had done evidence searches before. Saturday evening, four dogs and handlers rode golf carts to their assigned search areas. Each handler was accompanied by an official "snake and alligator spotter" armed with the club, a golf iron. (I don't know if they were to club the critter to death or shove the iron in its mouth--Ed.) Shirley had done a very good job of identifying where she had walked, including across the golf course. She went out with one of the handlers, Jeanette, and insisted that she follow precisely her footprints, along the swimming pool and through the snack bar. Picture Jeanette...wearing boots, shorts, carrying a golf club, with her dog Sandy on lead along the pool, searching the concrete for a diamond tennis bracelet. She got many comments about "playing throughout" and "nice stroke." Periodically, the handlers threw small objects to check if their dogs would find the evidence. And all did. However, after an hour, the dog teams came up negative. Andy, the operations leader, suggested that Shirley get a metal detector and try that. Monday morning, Shirley was out on the golf course with a borrowed metal detector. She was standing just outside the tennis courts, putting the batteries in, and trying to figure out just how to get the gadget to work. It kept beeping for no reason and then stopped as she moved it. She couldn't get it to work. Then thought maybe, just maybe, it was working. She bent down and ran her hands through the thick grass, and found her diamond bracelet! What luck! It had been far from the trail and must have shot off her wrist when she was walking, swinging her arms. The S.'s, John and Shirley, were very happy and made a nice donation (not the bracelet, but a generous amount) to the NASAR Search Dog Committee. And dear John...finally got the bracelet insured--I VIRGINIA BLOODHOUND SEARCH & RESCUE ASSOCIATIONThe Virginia Bloodhound Search and Rescue Association has been established for the following purposes: To have well trained bloodhounds and handlers available to assist the citizens, departments, and other organizations of Virginia in searches for missing, lost, or wanted subjects. To help educate the public and other organizations in the capabilities and useages of the Mantrailing Bloodhound. To give its handlers the best possible field and classroom training; and selective lectures to assist them in performing association-related services for the public. For More Information Contact: DFC Terry Davis, President Virginia Blooodhound Search and Rescue Association Post Office Box 229 Leesburg, Virginia 22075 Back to Articles
NATURAL DISASTERS & ANIMAL RESCUEby Search Dogs Northeast, Sue WebbI had been on standby for FEMA during Hurricane Andrew. But the local SAR dog units had provided a great response. Instead, I had collected supplies for people's pets and responded as an Animal Control Officer (ACO) to provide rescue and relief for pets and their owners. After attending a disaster preparedness conference involving humane societies and ACOs, I felt the national ACO and humane organizations were finally on the right track, working with FEMA to develop a disaster pre-plan involving animals. They now see the need to have trained, properly equipped, vaccinated personnel who can respond locally and nationally. They now know that "leave your pet at home with a supply of food and water" is the wrong advice. And an evacuation shelter must be near human shelter. Although concerns of allergies may prohibit animals in the same room with people, humane societies and ACOs can use Red Cross "Guidelines for Shelters" to plan an animal evacuation shelter. People who lose their house and personal belongings don't have to lose a friend, a part of their family. Reuniting pets and owners, who have been rescued from disaster, can help in the healing process. The special bonding SAR dog handlers have with their four-footed team members make them sensitive to these issues. The training our units do may be helpful to the staff of your local humane society or animal control department. Training, such as IC, First Responder, special hazards and precautions in disasters, special equipment needs for individuals, etc., is all useful in a time of disaster. It would be great if we could offer our training and advice to those people who want to help maintain the human-animal bond. For more information, contact Sue Webb, Wellesley Police Department, Animal Control Officer, Post Office Box 812082, Wellesley, MA 02181-0013--- Back to Articles
IN FONDEST MEMORY
June 2, 1980 - August 25, 1993 |
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