Yesterday, for the first time in the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), five search dogs with their handlers from both entities took search exams in rubble and in nature, for which they received internationally valid certificates under the IRO SAR license.
Search dogs must complete “school” in order to be able to rescue people in distress
The International Search and Rescue Dog Organisation (IRO) is the world’s umbrella organization for search and rescue dog work and a partner of the United Nations (UN) organization INSARAG. It brings together more than 250.000 people worldwide with around 4.000 certified search and rescue (SAR) dogs. Its headquarters are in Salzburg.
Two days ago and yesterday, multiple exams took place in the areas of Vogosca and Ilijas, which the dogs and their handlers went through. Three dogs from the Rescue Service of the Vogosca Firefighting Society participated, as well as one dog each from the Mountain Rescue Service (GSS) from Bijeljina and the GSS from Siroki Brijeg.
Natural disasters such as last year’s floods in BiH best demonstrated the importance of rapid action in such cases, when help is needed most.
Search dogs are an equal partner in rescuing people, animals, and property
Search dogs are trained to detect even the faintest trace of human scent, as they can locate a living person under ten meters of rubble. Scientific studies have shown that one dog can search an area that would require the work of dozens of people.
The humanitarian organization Pomozi.ba came up with the idea after the floods in Donja Jablanica and launched the “Rescue Paws” dog training project in order for the dogs to be licensed according to international standards. For the purposes of training, near the settlement of Srednje in the municipality of Ilijas, the first specialized rubble search dog training ground was built, the first of its kind in BiH. The training project was supported by the association Pomozi.ba, while members of the Vogosca Firefighting Society assisted with the work on the site.
The chief judge at these exams was Mirka Necak from Slovenia, an international judge for rescue dogs with the IRO.
