Q:  Is NOCSAR a Search and Rescue Team or a Search and Rescue Organization?

 

A:  No.  NOCSAR is neither a Search and Rescue Team, nor are we a Search and Rescue Organization.  NOCSAR is an organization that certifies Search and Rescue K9 Teams.

 

Q:  Once you certify my SAR K9 Team, does that mean we are ready to deploy?

 

A:  Only you can answer that question.  Every SAR K9 Team faces different challenges and requirements to effectively deploy within their regions.  Just as obtaining a driver’s license does not make you an expert driver; obtaining certification from ANY certifying body does not mean you are ready to deploy.  Certification is a stepping stone in the long process of developing your SAR K9 Team into an effective force in the field.  Obtaining certification can be an indicator that a SAR K9 Team has a solid foundation, and is ready for advanced training or development.  Regardless, a certification is NEVER the last step in the process, but only a beginning. 

 

Q:  How do I know that NOCSAR Evaluators will be impartial?

 

A:  NOCSAR Evaluators are completely independent from the organization.  Anyone who meets membership requirements can certify with NOCSAR, unless they are a NOCSAR Evaluator.  Evaluators cannot be members of NOCSAR.  They must be current or prior Law Enforcement K-9 trainers and/or handlers.  Candidates then have to earn their Evaluator status through an approval process with current Evaluators.  They then must be appointed by the NOCSAR K9 Advisor, who also is not a member.  As a result of these requirements, Evaluators are independent certification officials with no improper interest in the K9 team’s success or failure.

 

Q:  What makes your certifications different from what’s already available?

 

A:  We have decided to return to the foundation of scent detection for SAR K9 Teams, eliminating some of the things that we feel are unnecessary. For instance, we don’t certify a SAR K9 as being either a pure tracking K9 or a pure trailing K9.  We just want the K9 to find the victim no matter the method. If you bring your K9 to certify in track/trail and it is obvious to the Evaluator that the K9 used one or both methods to successfully find the victim, then you have succeeded. Your K9 may even air scent at the end of the trail and will still have succeeded. Names and specific word definitions are irrelevant.  Certification is to determine if the K9 can find a live victim, alert you to that fact, and if you can recognize that alert. There will always be other organizations out there to certify that your K9 is a pure tracker or a pure trailer in the sense of the definition.

 

Q:  Why don’t you provide information about the size or weight of HRD hides before certification?

 

A:  The purpose of HRD certification is to determine if your K9 can detect the odor of human remains, regardless of the amount involved.  When searching for the remains of victims the amount of odor present may vary greatly. 

 

Q:  What benefits do I get beyond Certification?

 

A:  You will have the opportunity to test your K9 Team to Search and Rescue standards which will hold up in a court of law. Should you find yourself facing an appearance in court, NOCSAR will provide support, dependent upon available funds, after review and approval by the K9 Coordinator through the Board of Directors, on your behalf.  Your NOCSAR certifying officials will also testify on your behalf regarding you and your K9’s scent detection abilities as demonstrated in your most recent certification test.