Page 55 - Wayne County

amounts of time with them training and participating in numerous seminars, conferences, and training courses. She utilizes three main types of search dogs most often associated with search and rescue: Trailing K-9’s, Air Scent K-9’s, and Cadaver K-9’s.

Trailing K-9’ s will follow the route of scent deposited on the ground as a person moves through an area. A scent article will often be used so that the dog can discrimi-nate the scent of the missing person from that of other persons or searchers in the same area. Her Trailing K-9’s can work up to 24-hour-old trails.

Air Scent K-9’s will fnd people by locating human scent as it travels in the breeze. They usually work in a grid pattern until they encounter the scent of the missing person, and then follow that scent on the wind until they locate the person. Air Scenting K-9’s are a valuable tool in locating lost or missing persons. They are not affected if prior searchers have heavily contaminated the area and can work an area where a Trailing K-9 may not be able to pick up a trail.

Cadaver K-9’s are trained to locate and follow the scent of decomposing human fesh and skeletal remains. Not a pretty thought, but their job is vital to both families of the victims, and to a justice system that oftentimes needs a body to prove a crime.

Angela’s training and experience as a search and rescue volunteer is extensive. She is certifed in: CPR/First Aid, K-9 First Aid, Crime Scene Preservation, Georgia Emer-gency Management Agency (GEMA) Rescue Specialist, FEMA Emergency Program Manager IS-001, FEMA Basic Incident Command, IS-195, FEMA Introduction to the Incident Command System IS-00100, FEMA Basic Incident Command System I-20 for Federal Disasters IS-00200, FEMA National Response Plan IS-00800, FEMA National Incident Management System (NIMS) IS-00700, FEMAAnimals in Disaster IS-00010,

Hometown Living At Its Best 49

ABOVE AND RIGHT K-9 dogs are usually trained in one of three categories: Trailing, where they follow a scent on the ground. Air Scent, where they follow a scent in the air, and Cadaver, where they follow the scent of a decomposing body or skeletal remains.