What you should consider before joining a SAR Team...

So you want to join a K-9 SAR team? 

But there are so many, how do you chose a reputable team and the right one for you?

This page will give you information compiled by our team. It reflects our views of what we believe makes a good SAR team and answers some additional questions you may have. This page is directed towards SAR in our geographical area and this information may vary across the country as different groups have a focus on different types of searching. 

Training. 

This is an important part of a SAR Team for obvious reasons. How often do members train as a team? What does their training encompass? Does the team train in both K-9 and handler skills? Are they required to train on their "off" time? Are there tests? Required sessions? Does the team endorse one method of training or are theyto new and different techniques? Are all K-9's required to do a specific type of searching or is the dog allowed to "choose" the type of work it is best suited for?

Documentation. 

A responsible team will document all training sessions. This is for the handler to read at a later date and track their progress, accomplishments, and areas of improvement. It is also considered a legal document proving that the team completed the assigned tasks and training. 

Standards.

The team should have established standards. They should be adhered to and followed. Standards should encompass both K-9 and handler skills. Are members required to attend a certain percentage of time or are they allowed to participate at random intervals? Are handlers and K-9's expected to pass an evaluation only once or are they required to show proficiency in their area of expertise from time to time? Is any and every dog accepted? Does the team do their own internal evaluations or invite outside personnel to provide an objective viewpoint?

Chain of Command. 

Does the team have a system in place for checks and balances? Do they have a system set up for problem solving and, equally important, member input? Are the leaders fair? Check to see if the team allows for member input or is it the decision of one individual what the team does or doesn't do? 

Background checks. 

Does the team you are considering joining complete background checks on potential handlers? Due to the nature of the SAR Team mission, this is very important. If a team states they do background checks, make sure they actually complete them. 

Safety and experience. 

Does the team follow appropriate safety practices during drills and responses? Do they teach cadaver handling skills or safety while on a tower teaching rope and rescue techniques? Do they observe factors concerning weather safety? Use appropriate equipment? Do they enforce these practices at all times? Do members have previous background and experience in multiple areas concerning SAR, K-9 training, or other fields not related to dog training? Do they deploy the appropriate K-9 and handler resources in an emergency?

Visit and observe. 

Make it a point to visit with each team  you are considering joining, meet the members, and ask questions. Is the team courteous, professional, and helpful to all members? Talk to members and see how they feel about the team and ask why they decided to join. You will get varying answers. Visit various SAR Teams in the same area if there are any and compare information. Reflect on the reasons you wanted to join a SAR team and you will see which team is right for you. 

Fun.

Are the people fun? Or are they overly regimented and militaristic? You will be spending a great deal of time with your new team, be sure you get along and can cooperate. SAR is a serious endeavor and training should not be just a social gathering. But training sessions should be fun for both you and  your canine partner. 

If you would like to see your name on our roster, click here to find out how. 

If you are considering joining a SAR Team in the Sedgwick County area, why should you chose SCEMK9?

SCEMK9 was developed to combine the existing resources from other teams regarding K-9 SAR in our area.

Our team is covered by workman's compensation insurance when at scheduled training sessions and responses. 

We have the resources of any department within Sedgwick County at our disposal. We are fortunate enough to have our own station to meet at, train in, respond from, and store equipment.  

We not only require skills of our K-9's, but from our handlers as well. We have a minimum attendance policy allowing us to assure K-9's and handlers are receiving the proper instruction and training. K-9's are evaluated every other year to prove proficiency and we require an outside resource to oversee the evaluation process. 

Not all dogs are accepted. K-9's must pass a temperament evaluation prior to joining. We allow our handlers and canines to "choose" the type of work they will be doing. We believe that most dogs that are a "jack of all trades" are truly a "master of none".  Although some dogs are fully capable of being crossed trained, we do not require it. We do not want to pass up an excellent Human Remains Detection Dog by requiring it to learn Tracking prior to anything else, if the dog isn't inclined to track. 

There are periodical meetings of Officers and Handlers to address any issues and bring to light new ideas and resources for the team. 

Our Emergency Management Department completes all background checks. We use all the members backgrounds and experiences to better our team and follow safety practices at all times. If a member is not following proper procedure, he is released from the training session until the problem is resolved. 

We also welcome questions about our team, and ask that you attend the Interested Members meeting to get all the needed information prior to joining. 

Lastly, we have fun. We view each other as an extended family and call upon each other as friends as well as working partners. We help our friends out in times of need and enjoy each others company. We receive many positive comments about the team camaraderie and yet, at the same time, the professionalism of our team. 

If you think our team might be for you, click here to find out when the next Interested Members meeting will be held. Good luck in your search!

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