½ Day (4 hours)

This course introduces the fundamentals of search and rescue as it relates to human safety and animals in a disaster situation. Students will be instructed on new guidelines for training relating to ASAR as well as introducing new federal resource typing standards for animal response. The new standards allow for better integration of animal responders with more traditional response efforts. The course includes a table top exercise in planning for a SAR response.

1 Day (8 hours)

In this course you will be instructed on the types of disasters that can affect your area and what problems those disasters can cause. You will then learn about the different sheltering options, how to set up a shelter, working with volunteers, supplies and donation management, dietary needs, procedures for tracking animals, basic health protocols, custodial responsibility and laws for animals that may affect the ASAR responder, humane or animal control officer.

Emergency animal shelter training includes four hours of tabletop and interactive exercises for the ASAR responder, humane or animal control officer on the development of co-located and intake facility development for displaced animals. Exercises include proper documentation associated with planning financial and logistic needs during the event.

½ Day (4 hours)

This animal behavior and handling course provides instruction on the safe handling of small and non-traditional animals that are under stress, using humanely acceptable techniques. Through class instruction and hands-on exercises you will learn common behavior, body language and flight zones, handling precautions, fear and aggression warning signs, signs of stress, methods of capture and restraint used by the responder.

Equipment needed: Gloves, sturdy closed-toe shoes or boots.

 ½ Day (4 hours)

This class will cover the commonly encountered zoonotic organisms that may be hazardous to responders and animals as well as specific diseases that could be used in bio-terrorism. Emphasis will be placed on what is normal and how to recognize what is abnormal. Personal protective equipment (PPE) and biosecurity will be demonstrated.

2 Days (16 hours)

When it comes to small companion animals, rescuers can usually count on enough strength to overcome most situations. But what happens when the victim is up to ten times your weight? This training gives classroom and hands-on instruction with some of the large animals we encounter. Students will learn how to safely deal with large animals in emergency situations; affect a rescue by modifying and using equipment they already have; types of specialized equipment that can make rescue more efficient; rope and harnessing systems to move large animals; and what to do with them after you rescue them.

Equipment needed: Gloves, sturdy closed-toe shoes or boots and helmet.

Click here for a full description of the BULL class.

8 hours

Hands on animal rescue training class provides the best working practices for large animal rescue techniques.  This course covers rope terminology, common knots, and their applications. Students receive experience in practical animal rescue scenarios utilizing proper animal handling techniques, harnessing systems and extraction techniques for low angle rope rescue.

Equipment required: Leather palmed gloves, work type boots with ankle support,  Helmet with 3 point chin strap approved by NFPA/UIAA.

½ Day (4 hours)

Laying out an ASAR operation or daily duties, whether in an urban or rural environment, is challenging. This class will orient you to the basic uses of a GPS unit, compass and maps to navigate new locations. Students will work through practical situations using a map and compass in a new environment. This class examines the basics of both road maps and topographic maps used in emergency situations.

Practical scenarios will differ given class locations. Map and compass provided.

1 Day (8 hours)

Materials hazardous to animals and humans can come in many forms for responders. In this course you will be given technician level instruction in identifying sources of contamination, how to recognize different types of hazardous materials, decontamination and what personal protective equipment (PPE) to use.

2 Days (16 hours)

Training is comprised of animal emergency management issues focusing on urban interface during wildland fire events. Instruction includes relevant studies from S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior and S-130 Firefighter Training. Participants will examine the challenges related to animal evacuation and response considerations for both small and large animals. “AFTER” training will include practical scenario exercises and discussions pertaining to hazard mitigation and situational awareness. This course is developed to enhance firefighter skill sets as well as providing animal emergency responders the ability to better integrate with primary responders on scene.

8 Hours

The trailer safety and skills course is geared to students all levels of trailering ability.  This class provides emergency responders, livestock haulers, CART members, humane or animal control officers the necessary tools in preparation of hauling livestock.  Students will learn how to do a pre-trip vehicle check, the importance of speed management, breaking distance, trailer inspection and more. A vehicle safety and trailer driving skills test with owned vehicles and trailer is required to receive a certificate.  Instructors will take you through basic maneuvers at the practice stations prior to testing. Students must pass the skills test to receive a certificate.

1 or 2 day (8 – 16 hours)

Hands on animal rescue training class covers the awareness level and current best working practices of rescue boat operations while adding real world applications. Students will learn about basic flood disaster management and will gain experience navigating flatwater and obstacles. This training includes the handling of small boats by paddle, oar, and on tether.

Equipment required: PFD, Helmet with 3-point chin strap approved by NFPA/UIAA, Water shoes, season appropriate water clothing.

5 Days (40 hours)

This course is designed for first responders, animal control officers, law enforcement, and others that are involved in emergency or disaster response where animals are affected.  It gives an introduction to just how much goes into effecting an efficient and safe response, and how the involvement of the animal creates more variables to be aware of.  Largely hands-on, the student will benefit from real life scenarios (including a night exercise) and practical applications in handling and rescuing animals safely in various situations. It is designed to be an immersive, long hours per day, real life based disaster response training, working out of BART, Code 3’s Big Animal Rescue Truck,  for the entire week.

Equipment needed: Gloves and boots for water, dry suit, water/safety approved helmet, approved personal floatation device (PFD), sturdy hiking boots or work boots, heavy/ sturdy gloves for rope work, clothing appropriate for adverse conditions (no shorts).

1 Days (8 hours)

The BARNS course provides emergency management, disaster responders and community volunteers information on Emergency Large Animal Sheltering.  This course provides a solid foundation in dealing with Emergency Large Animal Sheltering and prepares teams with the necessary tools for a smooth-running operation. This course combines one day of classroom teaching with a one day of practical hands-on exercise.  Day 1 topics include Leadership, Emergency Sheltering, Shelter Set Up, Understanding Livestock Behavior and Animal Decontamination Overview.

Equipment needed: Appropriate footwear such as closed toed boots, long pants, clothing appropriate for outdoor conditions, clipboard and pen

The SAFE course provides emergency management, ACO’s, shelter managers, first responders, animal emergency response and volunteers a solid foundation in emergency handling and sheltering. This course prepares agency officials and teams with the necessary tools for a smooth- running and safe operation. Classroom topics include identifying and building your region’s emergency response capability, emergency sheltering operations for livestock and small animals, animal behavior and handling, and an animal decontamination overview.  Participants will get to utilize their skills during the tabletop exercises and full scale setup.