top of page
178971226_1935978176558168_3917337996138437748_n.jpg
IMG_0208.jpg
IMG_6471.jpg

CITIZEN RESCUE DOG TEAM (BRT) REQUIREMENTS

Basic conductor requirements: What requirements must a handler always meet to be allowed to participate in a deployment? The self-declaration signed by the handler also states: I only participate in a deployment if we (dog and handler) are physically and mentally able to do so. What does this mean? Physical ► You are in good condition and have no physical limitations. Walking on uneven terrain is no problem for you. ► You can work your way off the existing paths for extended periods of time, while maintaining an overview and guiding your dog or acting as a buddy to another handler. Mental: ► You are stress-resistant and can continue to collaborate and perform under pressure; ► You are aware of your responsibility to comprehensively search and clear an assigned search area; ► You monitor your own boundaries and those of your dog to guarantee the quality of the search work. What skills should a BRT have: ► You can use the tools we use during a deployment: ► TopoGPS (terrain orientation, marking waypoints, turning tracking on and off and sharing data), compass and walkie-talkie; ► You know the agreed rules regarding ether discipline (porto) and adhere to them; ► You can use the information provided (including search areas marked in TopoGPS) and knowledge of the (im)possibilities of your dog to create, implement and, where necessary, adjust a search plan so that the search area assigned to you is searched thoroughly; ► You can work together on an equal basis with buddies, other BRTs and other people involved in a deployment (exercise); ► You follow instructions from the police and deployment leaders without discussion; ► You communicate correctly with persons present in the search area without disclosing police information about the deployment and/or the missing person(s) in accordance with the signed confidentiality statement; ► You behave correctly towards your dog and always give him the necessary care: encouragement and reward, rest, water, food, coolness, warmth, dryness, etc.
Basic dog requirements: What requirements must a dog meet to be allowed to participate in a stake? Physical: ► The dog is neither too thin nor too fat; ► The dog is healthy and in very good to excellent condition. What does this mean? This means that the dog can search motivated and reliably several times a day for at least 30-60 minutes. ​Mental: The dog is stable, alert, without excessive reaction to environmental stimuli. Behavior: ► The dog behaves socially towards people, dogs and other animals: neutral or friendly and in any case free of aggression; ► The dog can search if there are (police) horses in the area, because mounted police can also be deployed during a deployment; ► The dog has a strong drive to search and find, but also has sufficient control not to injure a missing person; ► The dog searches independently but can be controlled. This means that the dog searches areas independently on the instructions of the handler and is also under appeal in such a way that it can be recalled and/or under control in distracting and/or dangerous situations.
The declarations to be signed; what's in there? The signed Declaration also states: I ensure that the dog and myself are permanently sufficiently trained and participate in the annual joint training day of the police - SIN collaboration. What does this mean? ► Permanently sufficient practice: This means that the dog and the handler are not only trained to perform once (during an exam), but are always capable of more than they had to show during the exam passed (from SIN, KNPV, IRO or RHB). The exam you pass is just the basics. ► This means that the handler must ensure that the dog remains in optimal condition for deployment through a combination of search training (preferably in a club context), fitness training, sufficient rest/relaxation and good nutrition. If a dog is (temporarily) insufficiently fit or trained, the handler will (temporarily) deregister the dog. ► Participation in the joint practice day: A joint training day is organized four times a year by the SIN and the police. Participation of a BRT that has not previously participated in a practice day is always under supervision. In principle, a BRT then independently participates as a BRT in a joint police-SIN training day at least once a year. Participation in 1 practice day per year is mandatory. Participating in multiple practice days is allowed and recommended. The signed Declaration also states: I participate in a deployment completely voluntarily and at my own risk. What does this mean? This means that the handler is insured for Third Party Liability (WA) for which his dog is also insured. This is not automatically the case with all third party insurance policies. So make sure you check this and adjust it if necessary. Participating in a bet is not entirely without risk. For example, if you are pregnant, participating as a guide or buddy may not be wise. You can of course assist the deployment management. The signed Declaration also states: I will withdraw during a deployment if I or my dog are unable to perform the search at the desired level during a deployment. What does this mean? You are able to lead your own dog, read and recognize when the dog shows insufficient search drive, is too tired or hot and needs rest/water/food or for some other reason no longer searches reliably. If that is the case, withdraw your dog to rest or to end the deployment. The signed Declaration also states: I am always fully responsible for my behavior and communication. What does this mean? The Declaration you signed states which information may be shared and how (via which media).
Our recommendations: handler skills recommendations ♦ Sufficient knowledge of first aid and resuscitation so that you can take life-saving action if necessary; ♦ Sufficient knowledge and skills to perform first aid for your dog. Equipment recommendations ♦ Sturdy shoes adapted to the terrain. Preferably waterproof; ♦ Depending on the circumstances: warm, waterproof or light clothing that covers the entire body and provides adequate protection against ticks, thorns, etc.; ♦ An extra set of clothes / shoes (to get warm/dry afterwards); ♦ Compass; ♦ Mobile phone with TopoGPS app (necessary, therefore mandatory!); ♦ Power bank (necessary, therefore mandatory!); ♦ Walkie-talkie; ♦ Pencil and notepad; ♦ Powder, wind indicator or similar; ♦ Flashlight; ♦ Gloves; ♦ Helmet with headlight (for searching areas such as bunkers and when searching in the dark); ♦ Goggles (in case of strong wind in dune areas and beaches); ♦ Small first aid kit (human and dog); ♦ Identity document; ♦ Eat/drink a daily ration. Dog recommendations ♦ Protected against Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvo(DHP) and Rabies by means of valid (3-yearly) vaccination and/or titer determination Dog equipment recommendations ♦ Leash and collar, if necessary. Harnass, possibly Bell; ♦ With a dog that indicates by means of bringselen: bringsel (+collar); ♦ Water bowl; ♦ Reward (toy/food); ♦ Poop bags; ♦ Eat/drink a daily ration; ♦ Luminous elastic collar (working in the dark); ♦ Depending on circumstances: towel, drying coat, cooling coat/mat, warm (waterproof) coat for the dog;

Would you like to register as a Citizen Rescue Dog Team?

bottom of page