The donated precast concrete includes several dozen obsolete 36” and larger concrete pipes, culverts and precast boxes. They have been added to a 2+ acre constructed rubble pile at a secured training site near Indianapolis. The site is used to stage mock search and rescue events to prepare both dogs and humans for coping with a real disaster scenario. FEMA hosts a canine certification test six times per year at this and several other locations in the U.S.
The Indianapolis training site serves the Central Division of the National Urban Search & Rescue (US&R) Response System, including 10 of the nation’s 28 canine US&R teams. “The rubble piles are invaluable because they allow us to simulate an actual disaster as closely as possible,” says Indianapolis Fire Department Battalion Chief and US&R IN-TF 1 Training Coordinator Jay Settergren.
The large round concrete pipes make valuable rubble pile additions for two reasons. The first is that they are difficult for the dogs to walk on. Navigating these surfaces in training allows them to approach a real-life disaster situation with confidence. The concrete tubes are also large enough for an adult human to hide in. “It’s very important for the dogs to be able to locate disaster victims,” explains Settergren. “They have to follow a live scent. The pipes get buried in the pile, and they provide excellent places for (humans playing the role of victims) to hide out of sight. We bury them pretty good in there.”
In addition to other testing, each dog is required to pass two 20 minute search and rescue tests on the pile, including working out of the line of sight of its handler. The testing is extremely rigorous, and must be repeated every 3 years for a dog to maintain its certification.
The Indianapolis site is also used to train and test human US&R teams. Some of the exercises involve cutting and breaking up the pieces of concrete, which is why additional concrete donations from County Materials will be welcome. “Over time when we move the pipes they end up breaking. We’re grateful to have (these products),” says Settergren.