April 29, 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2010-21) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org FEMA K-9 SEARCH TEAM TRAINING Approximately twenty-four dogs and their handlers from around the country are in Mobile this week taking part in a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) K-9 Search Team training and certification course. The training is taking place at the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department’s Training Academy located at 860 Owens Street. Beginning at approximately 3 p.m. today, Wednesday, April 29 the Search Teams students will be participating in a search drill. The drill will last until approximately 9 p.m. this evening. The handlers and their K-9 companions represent search teams from Utah, Indiana, Tennessee, Ohio, Maryland, Missouri, and Alabama, just to name a few. They are in Mobile to learn and practice a number of search techniques, including working in large rubble piles similar to what may be found in a building collapse caused by an earthquake or terrorist attack. The K-9’s must also learn to maneuver through a number of obstacles, including boarding and un-boarding a helicopter, being hoisted to the top of a building using a harness and ropes. The teams must pass this certification to qualify as FEMA K-9 Search Teams. Mobile’s Urban Search and Rescue Alabama Task Force One (USAR ALTF-1) team has three certified K-9 Team members, two with Type II Certification and one with advanced Type I certification. There are only approximately 30 Type I teams in the country. This is the first time FEMA has conducted this class in the Mobile area which concludes on Friday, April 30. ###