Large Animal Rescue Awareness & Operations: Veterinary & First Responders

This course partnership between TEEX and TAMU VET and assumes the adherence to NFPA 1670-14 Awareness/Operations level standards for Animal Technical Rescue. The course is designed to meet the needs of responding to the different victims wherever possible and to incorporate appropriate sections of NFPA 1006 as needed.

Awareness level training prepares the participant to understand scene size-up, recognize the need for technical rescue, identify necessary resources and determine how to obtain them, demonstrate equipment identification, recognize the hazards associated with animal technical rescue, and know the methods for mitigating these hazards.

Operations level training prepares the participant to demonstrate skills of rope rigging to include hauling and lowering systems, demonstrate knowledge of rope related and animal related technical rescue equipment, edge protection, single and multi-point anchor systems, and to be able to perform simple assists, low angle lifts from a stable location, and rescue glide/patient transport packaging.

The course will discuss the necessity and operations of the Incident Command System. Understanding how ICS works as well as its role in animal technical rescue situations, particularly those with multiple agencies responding is essential.

Animal behavior and care are covered with respect to horses, cattle, dogs, and cats, as these species will likely make up the majority of animal technical rescue missions. Body language and positioning of both animals and humans are considered. Safety concerns are also addressed, as well as basic first aid for animals.