search and rescue dogs for DC&NY

[joycenalex]

the search and rescue and cadaver dogs that are in DC and NY are going to need food, boots to protect their feet from the glass and sleep mats and health care. does ANYONE know where the dog community can donate directly for those dogs who are serving our country so well these next days and weeks.

[Cinder & Smoke]

A Wonderful idea, but after you learn how well organized and trained these Search Dogs and their Handlers are, you'll understand that they won't be lacking for food, creature comforts, or safety equipment. The Urban Search and Rescue Teams (and Dogs) are air lifted in huge Air Force or National Guard transport planes; their equipment is carried in multiple tractor trailer sized cargo boxes to the disaster site. The Dogs have a complete assortment of safety gear - foot guards, body vests (both cooling and protective types), lifting and lowering slings, kennels, sleeping pads, first aid supplies, food and water containers and dishes, and favorite treats - everything they and their human handlers will need to survive in any environment for weeks of deployment. Each of the Dogs is a Handler's family pet and is never knowlingly exposed to unnecessary risk and danger. Their greatest risk is from the shifting of the building debris they are searching in.

Here's a link to the FEMA page that deals with the K-9 Search & Rescue Dogs: http://www.fema.gov/mobex/about3.htm

Here's the FEMA press release about the current Team deployments:
"FEMA has deployed eight Urban Search & Rescue teams US&R) to New York City to search for victims in the affected buildings. US&R teams are specially trained teams that include engineers and other technical experts as well as specially trained search dogs. Another four teams have been deployed to the Pentagon, for search and rescue efforts here. Four other teams are standing by."

And here's the link to a Pet Talk posting about other ways you can help: "How you can help!"

One thing that will help - Say a Prayer for the Search Dogs and their Handlers!

[Cinder & Smoke]

Joyce n Alex ~

Forgive us, we didn't notice you're from Columbus. You live near the home of the Ohio US&R Task Force #1 - the Miami Valley US&R Team!

They (had) a great web site; complete with pictures of their Dog Teams - but it's undergoing renovations and there isn't much to see right now. Here are some links to follow...
The Ohio / Miami Valley team pages are at:http://www.ohtf1.com/
The Federal FEMA page that has click-links to many of the other US Team web sites is at:http://www.fema.gov/usr/tasklist.htm.

The Ohio Task Force Team is on the way to New York. You might try to contact them when they return from this deployment and ask if there is any way you could assist them in the future. Let us know if you can't contact them - we know a couple Columbus Firefighters who are Task Force members and could help with reaching the Dog Handler members.

[Sudilar]

I really admire the SAR teams. Good luck to you all.

[joycenalex]

thank you phred. i am watching the videos of FDNY team attaching an american flag to what is left of the antenna that was on top of building one. that antenna is at ground level. my heart is breaking.

[delidog]

thank you phred...great info....i know that you are a firefighter....my heart goes out to the victims and their families of those brave firefighters and police officers we lost at the wtc...as you watch the photos of all the people running out of the building...your brothers were running in!!! the bravery!!!! i am not undermining the civillian victims...as i pray for them also...i just admire and respect the courage of the firefighters and policemen on the scene...they are so underpaid for their jobs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the deli dog!!!!!

[Angels3]

Phred, that's right...you are a firefighter. It is your brothers who are the heroes in the horrors following the terrorist attacks.
Our US friends, Iris & Jim, sent us an email with the most wonderful photo of 3 firefighters running up the American flag among the ruins of the New York buildings . It shows the wonderful American spirit that no terrorist can break. You've probably been sent this great pic, too.

[Rottie]

Here's a message I got through email today.

One of the stations covering the disasters reported that the dogs currently on scene were going through booties at an amazing rate. They were wrapping burlap around the dogs feet/legs which was slowing things down
considerably.

Requests are being made for booties. They stated to "clearly" identify the packages as Rescue Dog Supplies and send to:

New York City Offices
c/o Search and Response
Chambers Street
New York, NY 10007

The 'booties needed' post makes me think that just maybe the same search dogs will need vet wrap, antibiotic ointment, electrolyte solutions, duct tape, Pet Tabs, complete diets like 'Oinker Roll,' disposable food and water bowls, shampoo ... Now this is something we can ALL do.

[ September 13, 2001: Message edited by: Rottie ]

[Cinder & Smoke]

Everyone ~ PLEASE read...

Dad just (11:44 AM) called FEMA Headquarters in Washington, DC, about the US&R Dog Teams needing supplies. Here's the official response from the US&R Team Coordinator:

"There WAS a brief period of need for dog booties for some of the Dog Team crews. That need HAS BEEN REMEDIED by the on-site logistics people and there is NO NEED for ANY Dog Supplies or other equipment in either NYC or DC/Virginia."

The gal I spoke to said she had received e-mails and phone calls about this need but had not had time to check it out yet, but agreed to do it if I wanted to "hold". I said do it!

She returned and advised what I quoted above.
She did THANK us for our concern and desire to help; but said the original source of the news media's story (probably a Dog Handler) quite probably had exhausted his/her personal supply and had not or did not know WHERE to go on-site to replenish the supply. She hinted that with the TONS of supplies the each Team brings with them in their "Cache" of cargo containers, it happens that someone "needs" something that is really right there but can't be "found" at the moment.

That sorta sounds like Dad at the Shop .

[Cinder & Smoke]

Here's another Search Dog story from NYC:

QUOTED from http://www.Firehouse.com

"Search Dogs Pour Into New York City
MICHAEL LUO
Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK (AP) -- Search dogs and their handlers have poured into New York City to help recover the living and the dead from the terrorist-ravaged World Trade Center.

Pamela Moks, a veterinarian at a mobile animal emergency hospital parked near the disaster site, said Wednesday some 300 dogs were part of the rescue effort.

Like many search and rescue dog handlers, Sheriff's Sgt. Mike Goldberg, of Hampden
County, Mass., is skeptical of using more sophisticated technology.

"The equipment, the heat-seeking and infrared stuff, doesn't work," he said. "What works is a nose."

Goldberg arrived hours after the collapse and put his rescue dog, a 4-year-old Belgian
Malonois named Jacative, to work.

In the first 24-hour period, rescuers and their animals brought out about half a dozen
survivors and numerous body parts. Also on the scene were "cadaver dogs", trained to track the scent of death.

The normal method is for heavy equipment to move aside beams and large pieces of concrete in an area, after which dogs and handlers begin searching in teams of four.

Every time a dog comes off the job it undergoes a health check at the mobile clinic, which is housed in an air-conditioned bus. It has 20 cages, four operating stations and x-ray facilities.

Moks said, "the things we are most concerned about are smoke inhalation and dust in their eyes". Vets also fear the long-term effects of exposure to asbestos.

"Think about how important this is", said Mike Shorter, a veterinarian from Manhattan. "The dogs are the front line."" end Firehouse.com quote

GO, Dawgs!

[karen israel]

[b]MAY GOD BLESS AND SHELTER FROM HARM ALL THE AMAZING HUMANS AND K9'SWHO ARE RISKING THEIR LIVES ON BEHALF OF HUMANITYYOU HAVE MY UPMOST RESPECT AND ADMIRATION

[Daisy's Mom]

Same for me. Well put, Karen.

[Corinna]

Has any one seen if black paws rescues there. They are a group of newfys that train about 15 miles from me . They are amazing to watch Better watch out cinder and smoke dad will have you in more classes as arson dogs We have a friend who has one in Washington state. She is remarkable can scent out 150 different oders of fire accelerates. Shes a chocolate lab.
Merlins working on tracking (more than the food dish) I thought it would help both of us lose weight . I had one blind tracker she loved the job so much.
Phred,my hubby is a ex fire fighter and we are really praying and understanding how the guys are feeling. Prayers with you and you company as they feel the pain of these losses. I spent 2hours crying at the 2 mintue clip of Father Mikes funeral today.God bless you all.

[Albea]

Karen just said it. May God protect and keep from harm all the rescue dogs and their handlers, as well as the firefighters, medical technicians and everybody involved in this extraordinary effort.

[Dixieland Dancer]

Originally posted by K9karenI:
<STRONG>[b]MAY GOD BLESS AND SHELTER FROM HARM ALL THE AMAZING HUMANS AND K9'SWHO ARE RISKING THEIR LIVES ON BEHALF OF HUMANITYYOU HAVE MY UPMOST RESPECT AND ADMIRATION</STRONG>

Double Amen from us!