Animal Rescue

Training - National Fire and Rescue Service Animal Rescue AR3 course for animal rescue specialist/instructor

The AR3 course has been developed in response to a requirement from the Chief Fire Officers Association for standards, accreditation and equipment to deal effectively and safely with the regular Fire and Rescue response to animals in entrapped situations. These levels have been agreed by the National CFOA Animal Rescue Practioners Forum. The requirements for someone to attend an AR3 course should ideally be that they have previously attended a 4 day AR2 Responder course in rescue techniques and animal handling. However, in this early pioneering time it is accepted that some may only have had the animal handling element. Basic animal rescue techniques will be included in the AR3 course as a refresher.

AR3’s will be expected to act as sector officers at an incident and cascade training to members of the Service. Therefore Services wishing to nominate personnel for this course should be mindful of the need for the candidate to have achieved the relevant command level and methods of instruction training within your own criteria.

Cost of the course will be £150 per person per day to include food. Accommodation should be arranged individually but lists of accommodation will be sent out with joining instructions. The course is of four day duration and will consist of the following:

Traditional response to animal rescue and issues surrounding the ad hoc approach
Large animals in distress- Reactions: fear, flight, herd mentality, weapons.
Senses: sight, smell, touch, hearing
Flight zone, containment measures
Associated people and their influences at animal incidents, eg Equine owners, Farmers, General public, Non Governmental Organisations
Incident Command and application at animal incidents
Golden Rules of animal rescue
Minimum standards of training for responders, AR1, AR2, AR3, Vet
PPE and equipment
Rescue Techniques:
- Forward, backward and sideways skid
- Rollover, confined and unconfined space
- Lifting for rescue and medical suspension
- Trailer extrication
- Trailer righting
- Mud lance
Zoonotic diseases, conditions and other health issues
Approach and restraint
Scene management
Post incident protocols
Role of the Vet, Sedation and Anaesthesia, Euthanasia, Viability. H&S considerations when working with Veterinary medicines (Delivered by outside speaker from the British Equine Veterinary Association)
Rescue scenarios and solutions (classroom based)
- Mud/ditches/slurry
- Fire situations
- Transportation
- Stables/casting
- Cattle Grids
- Water
- Wells/holes etc
Practical scenarios and problem solving
RSPCA- Structure of organisation and role of Inspectors and Animal Collection Officers
Introduction to small animal rescue and capture equipment
Small animal incidents and protocols, dogs in holes and cats up trees etc
Other specialised incident types, eg marine mammals, exotics and sources of training

For any information regarding course availability please contact the Animal Rescue Team Administrator, Di Buck at diane.buck@hantsfire.gov.uk 023 8028 4250. For general information about animal rescue please contact Jim Green on 07918 887832