Did you know?

• Approximately 85 percent of FEMA US&R canine handlers are civilian volunteers. The remaining 15 percent are local fire or police department members. Nearly all canines are considered the handlers family dog.
• One of the handlers' primary responsibilities during a search and rescue deployment is to maintain the interest and spirit of their dogs throughout the shifts. For the dogs, the search is a game of hide and seek, with a find the reward. After a sustained period without a find, handlers will often have a team member hide and then send the dog out to search so it can have a successful find.
• Few search dogs wear booties when working on a rubble pile. Despite the hazards of sharp metal and broken glass, the dogs often need to perform what is called a soft walk where they splay their paws for maximum traction. Collars and booties can sometimes add to the risk of searching in tight or obstructed spaces.