US&R Canine Training in Lakeside

Lakeside, CA - Canine Search Specialists with the San Diego Urban Search and Rescue, California Task Force 8 spent a few hours in Lakeside on Sunday, July 11, 2010. These highly-trained dog handlers and their canine companions practiced searching for "victims" in the concrete rubble pile at the Lakeside Land Company on Riverford Rd.

The dog handlers bury a "victim" under the rubble (note the pallet).

These specialized search teams may be deployed to many different types of emergencies and disasters including earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and terrorist events.

Fletch (center-right) quickly locates the victim in a sea of rubble. Handler Brent Brainard can be seen at the far left.

Lakeside Engineer/Paramedic Richard Smith and his US&R search dog Bella.

Bella locates the trapped victim.

A special thanks to Lakeside Land Company for the use of their facility for this invaluable training opportunity.

Story and photos by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District