Safe rescue on the water: Exercise of the fire brigade with rescue dogs

Safe rescue on the water: Exercise of the fire brigade with rescue dogs

Last Saturday there was an impressive joint practice of the Rottenacker and Munderkingen fire brigades with the rescue dog squadron of the Ulm fire brigade. The event, which took place on Lake Lake, aimed to demonstrate the possible uses of rescue dogs in the water. While the water rescuers of the local weir were hidden in different areas such as the shore and the reedsules, the four -legged helpers came to the train.

The dogs were trained to take up the weather of missing people with their fine nose. The animals showed by barking that they had found the "missing". This exercise not only offers a practical use of dog skills, it is also of great importance for the participants of the security service. Through targeted training, the emergency services can learn how to act faster and more effectively in emergency scenarios.

an insight into the exercises and their meaning

Tobias Schmidberger, the head of the Ehingen police station, observed the exercise and was impressed by the efficiency of the dog teams. He explained: "In use, this is a great way to significantly narrow the search area when missing on the water." Holger Oellermann, the chairman of the rescue dog squadron, added: "Instead of using a large area instead of diving under water, our dogs can significantly reduce the search area." This reflects the need to optimize the cooperation between the different rescue units, especially in situations in which every second counts.

The idea of carrying out such exercises regularly, the result of a tragic event in October 2014. At that time, the rescue dog squad was alerted to Rottenacker to look for a missing man. His car had been found on the banks of Lake Landscape. The team sought intensively over two days, but was only able to mount the man dead. This experience has shown how valuable the support of rescue dogs is in such operations.

success of the rescue dog squadron

The rescue dog squadron of the Ulm fire brigade is already celebrating its 50th anniversary next year. It is one of the first units of this kind in Germany, which was founded in 1975. Today, season 19 tested rescue dog teams that are looking for in rough terrain, as well as an additional 11 teams that help with rubble searches comprises. All of these teams consist of trained firefighters and are checked regularly. The season is called for around 30 missions each year, in which different, often critical situations can be mastered - from missing children to seniors who can no longer cope alone.

The last major effort in which the dogs saved lives took place at the end of June when a rescue dog was able to track down a disoriented senior citizen in Ulm. Such stories testify not only from the skills of the dogs, but also from the tireless work of the people who conduct and support these teams.

The exercises, such as those on Lake Lake, are not only training, but also an increase in operational readiness and security for the citizens. The close cooperation between the fire brigade, the police and rescue dog squadron has proven to be effective when it comes to saving human life and defusing dangerous situations.

By replacing knowledge and techniques, security measures are continuously improved. This is of pioneering importance, especially against the background of the increasing challenges that use operations in the water.

The cooperation between the rescue units is essential in order to be able to react as soon as possible in emergencies. The passion and commitment of everyone involved, in particular the dog handler and their loyal companions, help us to confidently look into the future when it comes to saving human life.

The importance of the rescue dog squadron in today's world can hardly be overestimated. Fast and effective rescue measures are essential in an increasingly complex world in which natural disasters, accidents and other emergencies occur. Dogs are particularly effective in search work, since their pronounced sense of smell can make a significant contribution to the quick finding of missing people. This is particularly important in situations in which people are missing in remote or difficult to access areas.

The connection between humans and animals plays a central role. The trained dog handlers not only have skills in dealing with dogs, but also comprehensive knowledge of first aid and rescue techniques. They work under extreme conditions and often have to make decisions within minutes that can decide on life and death.

The training of the rescue dogs

The training of the rescue dogs is a lengthy process that can take several months to years. The dogs must be able to identify different smells and to find their way into different environments - be it in the water, in the mountains or in urban space. This also means that they are adapted to water habituation and various substrates. Each dog brings different properties and talents that can influence the selection for certain missions.

In Germany there are special guidelines and standards that were set by the German Fire Brigade Association (DFV). According to these standards, all dog handlers and their dogs must regularly take exams to confirm their qualifications. These measures ensure that the teams are optimally trained for use.

Current statistics on rescue dog work

Every year in Germany, several thousand missions of rescue dog squadrons are documented. According to the DFV and the state fire brigade associations, the number of missions continuously increases, which also reflects the increased sensitivity of the population for security questions. In 2022, for example, over 10,000 missions were registered nationwide, in which rescue dogs were used to find missing persons or to secure public events.

The efficiency of these operations is also evident in the high success rates. Over 90% of the missing people found by rescue dogs can be saved alive, which underlines their importance. This shows impressively that the combination of humans and animals is a valuable resource in emergency rescue and contributes significantly to life rescue.