COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – Some clever canines got their paws wet learning new skills to help with search and rescue responses!
The Coeur d’Alene Fire Department Canine Team spent time last week training search K-9 dogs to detect humans under water. To practice these new skills, the dogs, which were recently deployed to Lahaina, Hawai’i to aid with disaster recovery, set out on the water for lessons on the CDAFD zodiac inflatable boat.
“We are extremely proud of the work our K-9 handlers and their partners have put into increasing their capabilities to assist in search and rescue efforts on our area waterways,” said Deputy Chief Jeff Sells.
The search dogs are a part of the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue system and work with law enforcement and fire agencies to find humans, either living or their remains, depending on their specialty. Experts in underwater searches were brought in to help develop the program, allowing the K-9 search team to reach their long-time goal to assist with recovery of victims lost underwater.
With any luck, it’s a skill they won’t have to use often. When the time comes, however, you can expect to see some four-legged helpers out searching on the water!
