California Task Force 3, located in Menlo Park, CA, hosts special trainings every other month for the Search and Recon team members. One of our most popular trainings is Canine Packaging, held once each year. Our approach to canine packaging changed after experiences in OKC. The following shows how we do canine packaging now.

Our priorities are to move both handler and canine in a controlled manner, while providing maximum safety to both. We have decided that a raising and lowering system accomplishes our needs the best. We do not teach handlers to rappel with their canines for work in a US&R scenario. Facilities: Training is held at Menlo Park Fire Station One which includes a classroom and a four-story training tower.

Participants: All members of the TF3 Search and Recon component, any interested Rescue specialists, and any interested US&R handlers and canines, both certified and in training. Instructors: Search Team Managers, experienced high-angle rescue team members, and experienced canine handlers.

Materials: TF3 cache canine harnesses, personally-owned (PO) harnesses for canines, TF3 Type 2 harnesses, webbing including 8’, 12’, 15’ and 20’, carabiners, pulleys, Prusiks, eight plates, one lifeline and one safety line for each raising/lowering system, and training line for conditioning dogs to harnesses and suspension.

The class includes basic review of RS-1 high-angle skills for handlers and other team members. Tying seat and chest harnesses is reviewed. Getting the harnesses snug is stressed.

The RS-1 skills of rigging raising and lowering systems are reviewed and practiced by all participants as the training is set up. Participants setup a short haul system for conditioning the dogs to raising and lowering and a Z-rig with change of direction up on the tower.

	Additional opportunities for equipment familiarization are provided. A full Type 3 harness is available and the cache Type 2 harnesses are available.