"The cowardly attacks in London last week are the perfect example of why these dogs are important to effective search and rescue efforts," said Secretary Daniels. "The addition of these dogs to the already amazing technical rescue capability of New York State's Urban Search and Rescue Team operations helps ensure that New Yorkers who are victims of structural collapses are rescued as soon as possible."

"Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims and to the first responders - both canine and human - who worked last week in London to retrieve the victims from the tunnels," added Daniels. "We at the OFPC are proud to announce that with the addition of these canine Search and Rescue Teams New Yorkers can be assured a speedy rescue should a similar event occur."

The training for the dogs began several months ago at the SDF in California and they were joined there in May by their handlers. Training will continue here in New York State at various sites and will be ready for service early next year. SDF is responsible for training 40% of all of the nation's advanced FEMA K-9 search teams. It is calculated that a dog is equivalent to about 20 searchers in good conditions and many more in poor conditions. In ideal conditions a dog can pick up a human scent from about 1,600 feet.

"The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation is honored to provide these dogs to the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control," said Pluis Davern, head trainer of the SDF. "These are the first SDF-trained dogs in the State of New York joining 63 other teams across the United States."

Sue Vrodazka of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and her dog Hero, a FEMA Certified Advanced Level R team, who is affiliated with SDF and is aiding in the continuing training of the teams here in New York State, was also present.

The teams being welcomed today are:

• OFPC Fire Protection Specialist William Simmes & K-9 partner Bonnie


• OFPC Fire Protection Specialist Gregory Gould & K-9 partner Kura


• Cohoes Firefighter and UTSAR Team member Jason Geary & K-9 partner Marsi


• Saratoga Springs Firefighter and UTSAR Team member John Stewart & K-9 partner Loni

"It has long been a goal of this administration to provide these tools to our SAR teams and we can not thank Pluis Davern and the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation enough for their foresight in establishing the foundation and their assistance in the acquisition and training of these dogs and their handlers," said State Fire Administrator James Burns.

The teams were also welcomed by two of the OFPC's four accelerate detection K-9 teams which are used in arson detection investigations - Fire Protection Specialist Richard Daus and K-9 partner Emma and Fire Protection Specialist James Cable and K-9 partner Bucca.

The last time R dogs were in the spotlight in New York was immediately after the World Trade Center collapse when over 300 dogs were deployed to locate victims.

Secretary Daniels was also joined by Capt. Scott Shields who is the owner and trainer of Bear — the first R K-9 on site on 9/11. Bear discovered the most remains of any of the dogs that worked on the pile, including FDNY Chief Peter Ganci and FDNY Commissioner Thomas Feehan. Bear died in 2002 from cancer resulting from a wound sustained during his service at the WTC site. Capt. Shields now works with Bear's son, Theodore, who he is training to be a R canine. Secretary Daniels presented a proclamation to Capt. Shields and the Bear Search and Rescue Foundation recognizing Capt. Shields and Bear for their work at Ground Zero and the Foundation for it's on-going support for the mission of R dogs around the country.

The Twin Rivers Council of the Boy Scouts of America Law Enforcement Explorers Troop, sponsored by the Colonie Police Department, and other Twin Rivers Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts from the Twin Rivers ScoutReach Program were also on-hand to welcome the dogs and learn first-hand the capabilities of the New York State OFPC.

Currently, the only R K-9's in New York State are four FEMA certified Type II K-9's in New York City and they are assigned to FEMA's New York Task Force 1 which is comprised of members from FDNY and NYPD.

For further information on the New York State OFPC please visit www.dos.state.ny.us/fire/firewww.html. More information on the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation is available at www.searchdogfoundation.org. More information on the Bear Search and Rescue Foundation is available at www.bearsearchandrescue.org.