K9 Unit Volunteers returned back from their Training in Italy
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| The group before coming back to Malta |
The K9 rescue unit that went over to Italy for advanced training has finally returned back to Malta Monday last week. The team consisted of three Red Cross volunteers – Joe Pierre Portelli, Michael Buttigieg, Ian Paul Muscat and two civil protection volunteers – Dorianne Vella, Alan Cini besides 3 rescue dogs. In the last few years the Malta Red Cross Gozo branch has been working hard to set up a dog rescue unit with the aid of the Italian red Cross. In fact the Malta Red Cross Gozo Branch has extended its training to the civil protection department which are now working closely and jointly on this project. Currently the Red Cross has 2 certified dogs and 4 handlers. A series of preparatory training sessions were held in Malta/Gozo before the three week placement in Italy. Training also involved the Italian military mission in Malta – helicopter rescue force earlier this year.
In Italy the volunteers went to specialist training centres in Milan, Torino, Pisa and Rome. Highlights from the training included: search and rescue on rubble and collapsed building, human support, dog psychology, alimentation and preparation of the rescue dog, radio communications, metrology and orienteering, dog first aid and basic life support, helicopter rescue, use of advance search and rescue equipment such as sonar, open space searches and how to setup up training sites.
Financing for this project came form European union Leonardo mobility project, Italian Red Cross, Malta Red Cross Gozo branch and Air Malta who sponsored the traveling costs of the dogs.
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