FIRST AUSTRALIAN SEARCH DOG TEAM GOING TO SWITZERLAND TO CONTEST THE TOUGHEST CANINE USAR SEARCH TEST
The test will be held in Les Epeisses, Switzerland on 26-27th October 2012.
Canine USAR Team, Elke & Jochen
What is a canine USAR team?
It is a dog and handler trained to an accepted standard to search for persons buried under the rubble of collapsed buildings due to earthquakes, explosions and the like - Urban Search & Rescue or USAR. The most recent such disasters were the earthquakes in Christchurch and Japan last year, 2011.
Qualified canine USAR teams can also be deployed after cyclones - Cyclone Yasi, and landslides such as Threadbo.
It is a dog and handler trained to an accepted standard to search for persons buried under the rubble of collapsed buildings due to earthquakes, explosions and the like - Urban Search & Rescue or USAR. The most recent such disasters were the earthquakes in Christchurch and Japan last year, 2011.
Qualified canine USAR teams can also be deployed after cyclones - Cyclone Yasi, and landslides such as Threadbo.
One of of the search sites in Les Epeisses
What is this challenge?
The challenge is for the Australian canine USAR team, German Shepherd Dog, Jochen and his handler, Elke Effler, qualified to the highest level in Australia, to qualify at the highest level in the canine USAR world globally - the Swiss REDOG Operational Test.
What is the difference?
The Swiss USAR Test: 11 x 20-minute searches
The Swiss USAR test is held in a purpose built disaster village in Les Epeisses about 30km outside Geneva. The disaster sites are built and deliberately collapsed in such a way that they simulate the resultant destruction caused by, for example, an earthquake.
The Swiss USAR test comprises 11 x 20 minute searches with a 10-minute break between each search. Five searches must be completed consecutively on the first day, one night search and then another five searches much be completed on the following day.
The qualification is valid for three years.
The challenge is for the Australian canine USAR team, German Shepherd Dog, Jochen and his handler, Elke Effler, qualified to the highest level in Australia, to qualify at the highest level in the canine USAR world globally - the Swiss REDOG Operational Test.
What is the difference?
The Swiss USAR Test: 11 x 20-minute searches
The Swiss USAR test is held in a purpose built disaster village in Les Epeisses about 30km outside Geneva. The disaster sites are built and deliberately collapsed in such a way that they simulate the resultant destruction caused by, for example, an earthquake.
The Swiss USAR test comprises 11 x 20 minute searches with a 10-minute break between each search. Five searches must be completed consecutively on the first day, one night search and then another five searches much be completed on the following day.
The qualification is valid for three years.
USAR site Angle Park, SA
The Australian Canine USAR Test
Australia does not have a facility remotely like Les Epeisses. Currently the only facility that was built with USAR dogs in mind is in Adelaide at Angle Park. Whilst an excellent site, there is only one. The SES has one smaller site about an hour's drive away.
The Australian National Standard has two deployment levels:
1. Basic Operational Test:
4 x 20-minute searches - valid for two years
2. Advanced Operational Test:
7 x 20-minute searches - valid for three years
The Team Jochen/Elke has reached the highest standard in Australia, having very successfully completed the Advanced Canine USAR Test in Adelaide in October 2011. As this team was so successful, Elke decided to realise a dream of taking part in the ultimate canine USAR test held twice a year in Switzerland. Jochen is the dog to do this with as he has the drive, talent and work ethic to make such a venture worth the enormous effort it will take to have a good chance passing. Should Jochen and Elke pass this test they will be the highest qualified Canine USAR Team in the southern hemisphere.
Given the lack of resources and facilities in Australia, it is impossible to conduct such a test here. In fact, there are very few countries in the world that have anywhere near the facilities that Switzerland has. Not only that, there are actually two such disaster villages in Switzerland. The other one is in Wangen ad Aare which is currently closed for a two-year renovation and rebuild.
Given the size and complexity of the Swiss sites it is important that Elke and Jochen have three months in Switzerland for further training to be properly prepared for this huge test.
But the following training will also take place that will add to this team's experience and knowledge.
Canine USAR Workshop in Austria
In addition, the regional REDOG group Elke and Jochen will be spending some with, takes their candidates for the operational test to Kühtei, Austria in August for a four-day workshop high up in the alps. Several years ago there was a big mountain slide in this area which left a huge rock/rubble site. This area is apparently perfect for preparing candidates and their dogs for the operational test later in the year.
Elke and Jochen have been given a place on this workshop and a room has already been booked. As this is Europe, Jochen will be allowed into the room with me.
REDOG canine USAR deployment exercise
In mid-September, several weekend deployment exercises will be held for operational and trainee-operational canine teams simulating a real deployment. Elke and Jochen have been given a place on one weekend in Les Epeisses 21-23/9/2012.
Australia does not have a facility remotely like Les Epeisses. Currently the only facility that was built with USAR dogs in mind is in Adelaide at Angle Park. Whilst an excellent site, there is only one. The SES has one smaller site about an hour's drive away.
The Australian National Standard has two deployment levels:
1. Basic Operational Test:
4 x 20-minute searches - valid for two years
2. Advanced Operational Test:
7 x 20-minute searches - valid for three years
The Team Jochen/Elke has reached the highest standard in Australia, having very successfully completed the Advanced Canine USAR Test in Adelaide in October 2011. As this team was so successful, Elke decided to realise a dream of taking part in the ultimate canine USAR test held twice a year in Switzerland. Jochen is the dog to do this with as he has the drive, talent and work ethic to make such a venture worth the enormous effort it will take to have a good chance passing. Should Jochen and Elke pass this test they will be the highest qualified Canine USAR Team in the southern hemisphere.
Given the lack of resources and facilities in Australia, it is impossible to conduct such a test here. In fact, there are very few countries in the world that have anywhere near the facilities that Switzerland has. Not only that, there are actually two such disaster villages in Switzerland. The other one is in Wangen ad Aare which is currently closed for a two-year renovation and rebuild.
Given the size and complexity of the Swiss sites it is important that Elke and Jochen have three months in Switzerland for further training to be properly prepared for this huge test.
But the following training will also take place that will add to this team's experience and knowledge.
Canine USAR Workshop in Austria
In addition, the regional REDOG group Elke and Jochen will be spending some with, takes their candidates for the operational test to Kühtei, Austria in August for a four-day workshop high up in the alps. Several years ago there was a big mountain slide in this area which left a huge rock/rubble site. This area is apparently perfect for preparing candidates and their dogs for the operational test later in the year.
Elke and Jochen have been given a place on this workshop and a room has already been booked. As this is Europe, Jochen will be allowed into the room with me.
REDOG canine USAR deployment exercise
In mid-September, several weekend deployment exercises will be held for operational and trainee-operational canine teams simulating a real deployment. Elke and Jochen have been given a place on one weekend in Les Epeisses 21-23/9/2012.
The team will leave for Switzerland on or about 1st August 2012 and return on or about 1st November 2012. Jochen will have to spend 30 days in quarantine in Melbourne on his return.
Beyond the dream
Everybody knows that the German Shepherd is a police dog (or army dog etc) but how many people know that the German Shepherd Dog is also a very capable search dog, be that as a wilderness, avalanche or disaster search dog?
What better way to demonstrate this than take a very well bred AUSTRALIAN bred German Shepherd Dog to Europe and be trained and tested internationally in that most humanitarian of volunteer emergency tasks than a disaster or USAR dog?
On another level, the training, experience and knowledge that this team will come back to Australia with, will serve the community in times of need, be that locally, nationally or internationally such as in New Zealand. In addition, such experience will be invaluable for the canine USAR community in Australia.
Beyond the dream
Everybody knows that the German Shepherd is a police dog (or army dog etc) but how many people know that the German Shepherd Dog is also a very capable search dog, be that as a wilderness, avalanche or disaster search dog?
What better way to demonstrate this than take a very well bred AUSTRALIAN bred German Shepherd Dog to Europe and be trained and tested internationally in that most humanitarian of volunteer emergency tasks than a disaster or USAR dog?
On another level, the training, experience and knowledge that this team will come back to Australia with, will serve the community in times of need, be that locally, nationally or internationally such as in New Zealand. In addition, such experience will be invaluable for the canine USAR community in Australia.