May-June 2007 Alpine Barona East County El Cajon Grossmont ...

theZONE El Cajon 37California. The foundation finds dogsfrom animal shelters throughout theUnited States or dogs that have not beensuccessful in other service trainingprograms and puts them through arigorous training program to preparethem for their future search duties.The training consists ofobedience, agility and the ability tosearch for live scent in buried rubble orconfined spaces. Icon and Hattie werechosen based on their unusually strongprey drive and high level of energy,making them well suited for the harshconditions and potential long hoursassociated with Search and Rescue.Firefighters throughout thecountry are chosen to become handlersfor the search dogs through a series ofinterviews. These interviews helpdetermine a candidate’s level ofcommitment and willingness to put inthe time involved in handling a searchdog.Once a handler is chosen, he/sheis paired up with a dog. The dog andhandler spend approximately one yeartraining together before the dog can testto become a certified Disaster SearchDog.Captain Swaney and EngineerMaldonado spend at least two days aweek on searching with Icon and Hattie.Both dogs come to work every B shiftand are part of their respective crewsand our fire department family. Crewmembers regularly take turns simulatinghidden victims, rewarding the dogs witha toy (a piece of stuffed fire hose with aloop of webbing) for a successful search.Handlers volunteer their timeand are responsible for the veterinarycare, food, and housing of the dogs.Once Icon and Hattie are certified, theywill be assigned to a USAR Task Forceand can be deployed in a disaster.In October of 2006, Chief MikeScott and Captain Steve Swaney retiredtheir search dogs, Billy and Sherman,after 7 years of dedicated service. ChiefScott and Billy served at Ground Zero,and Captain Swaney and Shermanserved at Ground Zero and New Orleansafter Hurricane Katrina.Icon and Hattie have become agreat addition to the El Cajon FireDepartment. We wish them luck in theirtraining and are proud to have themserve our community and nation.If anyone would like moreinformation on becoming a search doghandler or have any other questionsplease feel free to call Captain SteveSwaney at El Cajon Fire Station 8 at (619)441-1684 B shift.Station 8 Ground BreakingAfter many years in the planning,groundbreaking ceremonies were heldon Tuesday, January 23rd at 12 noon, forthe building of a “new” Fire Station #8 inthe City of El Cajon. Ceremonies wereheld at Station 8’s new site located at1470 E. Madison Avenue near East MainStreet. This new state of the art firestation is expected to be completed inabout fourteen months at a cost of justunder $5-million-dollars.El Cajon Fire Chief Mike Scott hosted thegroundbreaking ceremony. El Cajon CityManager Kathi Henry, Mayor Mark Lewis,CouncilmembersJillianHanson-CoxArchitects drawing of El Cajon’s new Station #8