Canine Search Policy PDF

I. INTRODUCTION A. Purpose: To provide Department policies and procedures for the Canine Search Teams (CST). B. Scope: This instruction applies to all Department personnel. C. Author: The deputy chief of the North Regional Operations Bureau is responsible for the content, rev...

I. INTRODUCTION A. Purpose: To provide Department policies and procedures for the Canine Search Teams (CST). B. Scope: This instruction applies to all Department personnel. C. Author: The deputy chief of the North Regional Operations Bureau is responsible for the content, revision, and periodic review of this instruction. D. Definitions: 1. Canine coordinator: A Department-approved member assigned to assist with the training, administration, and emergency deployment of CST. 2. Canine training coordinator: Approved by the Technical Operations Section battalion chief, an employee assigned to the canine search program, responsible for a monthly canine training calendar as well as training oversight for all CST and canine search teams-in-training. 3. Canine Search Strike Team: Shall consist of two CST and a qualified search team manager. 4. Canine Search Team (CST): A highly-trained search team consisting of a search canine and handler. Must be Department endorsed and certified by the Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency (DHS/FEMA) National Disaster Search Canine Readiness Evaluation Process every three (3) years. 5. Canine Search Team In-Training (CST-IT): A Department endorsed team consisting of a search canine and handler, undergoing training but not yet certified in accordance with the DHS/FEMA National Disaster Search Canine Readiness Evaluation Process. Also defines a CST that has lapsed in certification. 6. Department canine handler: A Department-approved employee who has been trained as a canine search specialist, and is responsible for the training, welfare, and operations of a search canine. 7. National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (NDSDF): An organization that acquires, trains, supervises, and assigns canines to qualified Department canine handlers for use as part of Department endorsed CSTs. 06/19/14 1 of 10 V11-C4-S2 Urban Search & Rescue Canine Search Policy  8. Non-sanctioned training: All CST/CST-IT training that does not meet the requirements of sanctioned training. 9. Sanctioned training: All CST/CST-IT training that has received prior approval from the Technical Operations Section battalion chief. 10. Search canine: A Department-approved canine that is specially trained. It must meet all Department training and administrative requirements and receive written endorsement from the Department. Search canines are at no time considered property of the Department. The ownership of these canines remains with the canine handler or a third party such as the NDSDF. Upon retirement of the canine, the handler is responsible for canine care. II. RESPONSIBILITY A. The chief deputy of the Emergency Operations shall be responsible for: 1. Approval of selected CST/CST-IT. B. The deputy chiefs of Emergency Operations are responsible for: 1. Approval of all releases for CST/CST-IT from regularly assigned work locations. C. The battalion chief of the Technical Operations Section is responsible for: 1. The management of the CST/CST-IT program. 2. Processing releases for travel/training associated with CST/CST-IT activities and forwarding the releases to the appropriate regional operations bureau deputy chief for approval. 3. Approval and processing of all allowable reimbursement requests related to CST operations. a. Feeding, allowed equipment, and required training costs are the responsibility of the Department. b. Veterinarian care to include annual routine medical check-ups or treatment of injuries or illnesses that occur while assigned to an incident. 06/19/14 2 of 10 V11-C4-S2 Urban Search & Rescue Canine Search Policy  4. Approval for the use of Department vehicles for transportation within Los Angeles County related to the CST Program. 5. Facilitating required approvals for the use of Department vehicles for transportation outside of Los Angeles County related to the CST Program. D. The jurisdictional battalion chief shall be responsible for: 1. Ensuring policies and procedures related to the CST/CST-IT program are implemented. 2. Approving the use of an appropriate Department vehicle for transporting a CST to approved training sites within Los Angeles County jurisdiction or to an incident. E. The site supervisor shall be responsible for: 1. Implementing policies related to the CST/CST-IT Program. 2. The administrative site supervisor shall ensure that all personnel are aware of the needs of the canine and provide for its safety and well- being. 3. Ensuring that personnel and station visitors do not: a. Feed canines unless authorized to do so by the canine handler. b. Endanger any canines. c. Discipline, tease, strike, or cause agitation to the canines. d. Give commands or play with canines without the permission of the canine handler. e. Remove canines from an area of confinement or kennel without the permission and direction from the canine handler. F. Department CST/CST-IT handlers shall be responsible for: 1. The control, training, record keeping, and well-being of their assigned search canine. 06/19/14 3 of 10 V11-C4-S2 Urban Search & Rescue Canine Search Policy  a. The handler shall keep the canine in such physical condition that the canine is able to perform assigned duties. b. The handler will maintain control of the canine at all times both on and off duty. 2. Maintaining qualification as a handler in accordance with the requirements set forth by the licensing or certifying agency. 3. Ensuring that all required certifications, licenses, and vaccinations for the search canine are properly maintained. a. Canines shall be maintained in accordance with local regulations, codes, and policies. 4. Establishing and maintaining a CST/CST-IT file at both the handler’s administrative site and the Technical Operations Section for documents related to the canine handler and the assigned search canine. This file must contain the following items: a. A complete medical history of the canine, including vaccinations and medical procedures. b. Licenses and certifications. c. Working history. d. Emergency information for the canine’s veterinarian. e. Alternate canine care provider information should the handler be unable to provide care for any reason. 1) Phone number and contact procedure for the emergency contact person shall be maintained at the program manager’s site file, handler’s work location, dog run, and with the canine portable enclosure. 5. Notifying both the battalion chief of the Technical Operations Section and the canine coordinator, whenever the CST is not available for emergency response. 6. Providing notification to the handler's on-duty administrative site supervisor if the CST is deployed while off duty. 06/19/14 4 of 10 V11-C4-S2 Urban Search & Rescue Canine Search Policy  a. The handler shall provide the supervisor with incident information, contact number, and an estimated time of return to home quarters. b. The site supervisor shall notify the jurisdictional battalion chief in order to determine the need to continue any detail arrangement or to backfill the handler’s position. III. POLICY A. Applications 1. When a need for additional canine search specialists is identified by the CST Program, recruitment will be announced. a. Interested candidates shall submit a letter of interest to the Department search canine coordinator. B. Endorsements/certifications 1. The Department will recognize and endorse a maximum of fourteen (14) CSTs. a. The Department may also approve up to two (2) CST-ITs to be certified CSTs. 2. CST/CST-IT canines must be recognized and certified by the DHS/FEMA National Disaster Search Canine Readiness Evaluation Process prior to deploying on an assignment as one of the Department’s CSTs. a. The CST-IT will be expected to pass a Task Force sponsored Foundation Skills Assessment within one (1) year after receiving the canine. b. All CST-IT will be evaluated by a CA-TF2 Search Team Manager and the Department Canine Coordinator every year for progress. c. The CST-IT will be expected to pass a DHS/FEMA Certification Evaluation (CE) within two (2) years after receiving the canine. 06/19/14 5 of 10 V11-C4-S2 Urban Search & Rescue Canine Search Policy  d. The CST-IT who fails to pass the DHS/FEMA certification process will be evaluated by the battalion chief of the Technical Operations Section and the canine coordinator to determine suitability and likelihood of future success. CST-IT may be removed from the CST program by the battalion chief of the Technical Operations Section after two failures. 3. CST certification shall be evaluated every three (3) years according to the DHS/FEMA National Disaster Search Canine Readiness Evaluation process. C. Canine at administrative site 1. Only Department-approved CST/CST-IT canines are allowed at Department administrative sites. 2. CST/CST-IT canines shall not accompany their handler during routine daily duties and assignments away from the administrative site without the specific approval from the jurisdictional battalion chief. a. Department-approved CST handlers are not exempt from their regularly assigned duties and responsibilities. D. Releases 1. Requests for releases shall be coordinated through the Technical Operations Section. a. CST handlers will be permitted one (1) release up to six (6) hours from duty per month for sanctioned canine training. CST-IT will be permitted two (2) releases up to six (6) hours from duty per month for sanctioned canine training. E. Travel training 1. Travel training requests shall be initiated through the Technical Operations Section and approved through channels by the North Region Operations deputy chief, for training conducted outside of Los Angeles County. 2. Mileage permittee status may be requested through each CST/CST- IT handler’s chain of command. 06/19/14 6 of 10 V11-C4-S2 Urban Search & Rescue Canine Search Policy  a. The canine Department vehicle shall only be used with approval from the battalion chief of the Technical Operations Section. 3. Approved Department CST/CST-IT will be compensated, if approved by the battalion chief of the Technical Operations Section as mandatory training. a. Department canine training coordinator will be permitted releases or compensated for all sanctioned training. 4. During basic training periods, the CST-IT is required to attend a minimum of eight (8) training sessions during each calendar month per their NDSDF Service Agreement. F. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 1. Canine handlers shall wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) when participating in Department sanctioned training or when working in the operational area of an emergency incident. G. Aggressive behavior 1. Exhibition of aggressive behavior may lead to the removal of the canine from the Department’s CST/CST-IT program. Aggressive behavior displayed shall be reported to the jurisdictional battalion chief and the battalion chief of the Technical Operations Section. IV. PROCEDURES A. Incident response 1. Los Angeles Command and Control (LACC) shall page all CST handlers, the battalion chief of the Technical Operations Section, the canine coordinator, and USAR coordinator for any CST-related requests, responses, or incidents. a. CSTs shall be assigned to the incident based on the shortest ETA, as determined by the Technical Operations battalion chief, USAR coordinator, canine coordinator, or their subordinates. b. If a CST is requested by Department resources: 06/19/14 7 of 10 V11-C4-S2 Urban Search & Rescue Canine Search Policy  1) Command and Control battalion chief (CCBC) shall assign two (2) CSTs with the shortest ETA to the incident. 2) A qualified search team manager may be added if warranted. c. If a CST is requested by a resource other than the Department, outside of Los Angeles County, in Region 1, or by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Service (Cal-OES): 1) CCBC shall obtain approval from the duty chief prior to dispatching the CST. 2) Once approved, the CCBC shall assign a Canine Search Strike Team (consisting of two (2) CSTs with the shortest ETA and a qualified Search Team manager). 3) A Department agency representative may be added if warranted. 4) These requests shall comply with the Department policy for mutual aid and assistance by hire (Volume 2, Chapter 6, Subject 2: Automatic Aid/Initial Action Agreement Policy). 2. If requested for incident response by LACC while on-duty, the CST handler shall immediately notify their immediate supervisor, who shall notify the jurisdictional battalion chief. 3. If requested for incident response by LACC while off-duty, the CST handler shall advise their administrative site to ensure proper coverage or backfill of the handler’s position. 4. Upon arrival at an assigned incident, the decision to use the canine shall be made by the incident commander (IC) with the approval of the canine handler. a. The canine handler is responsible for the safety and proper use of the CST at all times. b. The handler will evaluate the scene and advise the IC of any specific requirements to make the scene safe and workable for the CST. 06/19/14 8 of 10 V11-C4-S2 Urban Search & Rescue Canine Search Policy B. Supplies and equipment 1. When a canine handler is designated by the Department, and prior to taking possession of a canine for basic training, the following equipment will be provided by the Department: a. An electronic collar and transmitter. b. A six-foot leash and collar. c. A portable crate for transportation of canine. d. A kennel with shade tarp at work site. e. Gloves, goggles, kneepads, and a pair of approved rescue work boots. f. A global positioning system (GPS) receiver unit. 2. Approved CST/CST-IT Department personnel shall be issued a pager. 3. Certified handlers should have Department-provided supplies replaced as needed at the discretion of the Technical Operations Section battalion chief. C. Canine demonstrations 1. Requests for CST demonstrations for public relations purposes shall be coordinated through the canine coordinator and the appropriate regional operations bureau community services representative. Such events shall be scheduled a minimum of thirty (30) days in advance. a. CST members will be compensated while off-duty for approved Department-sanctioned public relations demonstrations. b. Movement of the demonstration equipment shall be coordinated by the CST handler when approved by the Technical Operations Section. 06/19/14 9 of 10 V11-C4-S2 Urban Search & Rescue Canine Search Policy D. Veterinarian services 1. All veterinary care invoices or receipts shall be received by the Technical Operations Section within ten (10) business days of the appointment from the CST/CST-IT handlers. 2. Search canine fit for duty physicals shall be performed annually by a veterinarian that has been approved by the Department. All veterinarian physical documentation shall be sent to the Technical Operations Section. 06/19/14 10 of 10 V11-C4-S2 Urban Search & Rescue Canine Search Policy