The Gibson County EMA K-9 Team is accepting applications for membership for volunteers interested in assisting as victims for training, becoming ground search personal, or as a K-9 handler.

Membership Application

Member Training

GIBSON COUNTY EMA K-9 members constantly update their skills at monthly training, which focuses on areas of training such as compass work and map navigation, survival techniques, the incident command system, search strategy, emergency first aid, radio procedures, victim behavior, scent theory, rope work, man-tracking methods.

All members must obtain NIMS compliance by passing NIMS 700, 100, 200, and 800. (Follow the links for each class.)

Within 6 months to 1 year of becoming a member of the GIBSON COUNTY EMA K-9, each    individual must pass the Search and Rescue Technician, Level III (SAR Tech III), a test sponsored by NASAR.          

Within two years of becoming a member of the GIBSON COUNTY EMA K-9, each individual must pass the Search and Rescue Technician, Level II (SAR Tech II), a test sponsored by NASAR. This examination incorporates knowledge of search and rescue techniques and procedures with map and compass work, rope skills, tracking and navigation courses and clue searches.

Search Dog Training - General
Training search and rescue dogs is a gradual and careful process because each dog responds differently. All dogs progress at different rates and their reactions to training challenges and rewards will also vary. We regard training as a team effort. We rely on each other for support and advice.

Air Scent Training

The air scent dog works off lead, ranging back and forth in an area to pick up the human scent left by the subject. Ranging often takes the dog out of sight for several minutes at a time, so the handler must trust his dog and listen for an alert. Once the dog gets the subject's scent, he moves in to its source. The dog must then "alert" by either barking while staying with the subject or by returning to the handler and "indicating" her in some way that the handler should follow. The dog then "refinds" the subject and leads the handler to the subject. 

Trailing Dogs

A trailing dog works similarly to the tracking dog. A scent article is used so the dog can pick up the subject's scent and trail. The dog may waiver from the person's actual track by several feet by cutting corners and using the wind to his advantage. Again, the dog is generally in a harness attached to a 20 -30 foot lead. 

Cadaver Training

Human Remains Detection (HRD) canines, sometimes referred to as 'cadaver dogs', are trained to locate the scent of human decomposition and alert the handler of it's location; on land, under water and buried. HRD canines search for victims who have died as a result of natural or man-made disasters, drowning, suicides or other means.  Our handlers are trained in Crime Scene Preservation as well. Our handlers participate in yearly training on how to properly and safely handle training aids through the Blood borne Pathogens guidelines set forth by OSHA.

Support Person

This person accompanies the handler to help look for clues, watch the dog for subtle alerts, and handle radio communications.

 Ground Searcher 

An individual that searches using clue awareness, man-tracking skills, victim behavior knowledge, etc., without the use of a search dog. All members qualify first as ground searchers.

 Handler 

 This is the person that works the dog during search trainings and actual missions.