Rapid Response to International Disasters

Disaster Rescue Missions

Rapid Response to International Disasters

International disaster rescue missions are manned by dedicated volunteers and rescue dogs who, through rapid mobilisation and intervention, aim to save lives in often the most hazardous situations, allied with education and training programmes.

Their primary objectives are the relief of human suffering and distress in any part of the world resulting from disaster of any kind and the protection and preservation of human life in particular, but not exclusively, by providing suitably trained and experienced response teams free of charge upon receipt of a request for assistance.

Each team includes a doctor or paramedic, plus specialists selected for the particular disaster. Team skills include those of rescue services, rescue dogs, plus those of paramedics, police, fire-fighters and local authority services, the forces and engineers.

Disaster Search Dogs

Disaster Search Dogs are highly trained search dogs, which are taught to find live casualties trapped under the debris of collapsed structures following earthquakes, mudslides and explosions. Disaster Search Dogs were introduced to provide an additional resource to the main rescue team.

Border Collies are the preferred breed for this type of work. They are of medium build, and have great natural agility, suitable for the collapsed structure environment in which they train and work. They are highly intelligent dogs and very quick to learn.

However, Jack Russell's are also used as their small stature allows them to access small voids and passageways.

Disaster Search Dogs can take up to 3 years to train, and are required to successfully attain internationally recognised standards involving search and rescue, obedience and natural agility. All accreditations are monitored by independent assessors.

They are exceptionally well socialised with ordinary aspects of daily life, as well as extraordinary aspects, including working with aircraft, boats, helicopters, trains, heavy plant and machinery, loud noises, crowds, livestock and travel crate usage.

They regularly train and work in potentially hazardous environments including quarries, demolition sites, debris, unstable structures, difficult terrain, and are required to confidently perform tasks such as abseiling, working underground, at height and in confined spaces.

The dogs usually live with their handlers and are much-loved family dogs.