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Training Reports & Forms


Overview

        Currently SAR training across Canada is being revised in order to             develop a consistent, national standard. Previously in Ontario                 training was conducted in four stages, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 and         Search Manager.  The new standards will cover the same materials          in three modules: Basic, Advanced and Search Manager.

    Basic Training 

       Contact OSARVA for all training materials (not the O.P.P.).
      
       Upon successful completion of Basic Training OSARVA members            will receive a Certificate of Completion and an ID card.

       Teams can submit their training information to The Provincial                     Training Coordinator to receive their ID Cards.

    Recertification

       An annual recertification is required to keep your Basic Searcher            status current.  Recert packages are available from the Provincial            Training Coordinator.

    Trainers

       Trainers are trained by the O.P.P. and are re-evaluated each year.         Contact the Provincial Training Coordinator  for a list of available            trainers in your area.  Anyone interested in becoming a trainer and            should first read Protocol to Become an OSARVA "Basic Level 
        SAR  Intstructor".

  

ID Cards 

        ID Cards are now available.  The front of the cards will be the same         for all teams.  This uniform appearance will allow the cards to be             recognized as the OSARVA standard by all police jurisdictions.                  Cards will expire every five years to keep the picture current.                      Similar to a fishing license, stickers with recert dates and initialed             by the trainers will be attached to the back.         
       
        Send your head shots (no hats) on a black or white background                 along with the names of your trained members, and the dates they         were trained to ID Cards.


   K9 Training

        OSARVA has been working with the OPP to implement a
        consistent, evaluated standard for K9 training. The standards are             very close to those required of a police service dog working at this             level with respect to searching and tracking. The K9 program will             form part of the MOU between the OPP and OSARVA.

        Some things to remember are that these are team standards – dog         and handler together. Handlers have to be OSARVA certified and be         part of a team and K9 teams have to be registered OSARVA teams         meeting all the applicable requirements.

        Once a suitable number of dogs are believed to be ready an           
        evaluation date will be set. For consistency evaluations will be done         in one location. 
Pre-evaluations will be conducted to prevent
        candidates from coming all the way down and not passing the                 evaluation.


        Dogs at all levels are welcome. Beginning dogs can get set up with         training or if the dog is believed to be ready s/he can be brought in             for an evaluation. Dogs do not need to be of a specific breed but             they must be non-aggressive. With respect to agility standards the         OPP are somewhat flexible with specific breeds but there will be no         flexibility with respect to operational work.

        The training program is quite extensive with many variables                     including the experience level of the dog and handler. The OPP                 program is nine weeks, working everyday to bring a new dog and             handler up to standards. The training time for SAR dogs will depend         on the volunteer’s time commitment.

        Successful Dog/Handler teams will be issued a certification card             and an annual recert will be required. Handlers will maintain an                 extensive training log and should be honest about weakness in the         training log as you can be given guidance at prescreening. Handlers         must also maintain an operational log.

        For additional information and to see the list of requirements see
        K9 Training.


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