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Local firefighter Eric Gray poses with Riley, a search-and-rescue dog that recently joined the Santa Barbara County Fire Department. — Photo by Sharon Handzelka, National Search Dog Foundation

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Riley the rescue dog joins fire department

Welcome party planned for Nov. 22

By ERIC LINDBERG — Nov. 11, 2009

Riley might appear to be a great family pet — a cuddly, well-mannered yellow Labrador that follows commands and has boundless energy.

But to local fire officials and his handler, Firefighter Eric Gray of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, the 70-pound pooch is the latest addition to their search-and-rescue toolbox.

“This dog is effectively a tool just like anything else,” Gray said. “His whole job in life is to go places where we as rescuers and firefighters can’t get to.”

With a nose adept at finding trapped victims and the ability to nimbly traverse rubble and rugged terrain, Riley is a major addition to the fire department, which has been without a trained rescue dog since Duke, a chocolate Labrador handled by Fire Engineer Howard Orr, retired several years ago.

As a member of the local urban search-and-rescue force, Riley will play a critical role in finding victims trapped in rubble following natural or manmade disasters — such as an earthquake, building collapse or landslide.

Beyond the ability to respond to local disasters, Gray said he could also deploy with Riley to national and international disasters when search-and-rescue teams are needed.

“Within four hours, we could be on the road to LAX to be put on a plane to be sent overseas,” he said. “That’s a big deal.”

Riley came to the department about a month ago free of charge from the National Search Dog Foundation based in Ojai. The Santa Barbara Firefighters Alliance made the program possible by purchasing a vehicle to transport the dog to training sessions and deployments.

Gray explained that Riley must be kept in a kennel to protect his effectiveness. While some might consider that to be cruel or unnecessary, the firefighter said Riley would lose his touch if he could roam as freely as a normal pet.

“If you get lax with them as far as what they eat, how they train, how they are treated, you see the dog get disinterested in his job,” Gray said, adding later, “He’s not a pet. He doesn’t sleep on the couch, he doesn’t jump on the bed, he doesn’t eat human food.”

Riley’s motivation for tracking down victims is simple: if he is successful, he knows he will be rewarded with his toy.

“What we see as work, he sees as a game,” Gray said. “He doesn’t know we’re getting work out of him.”

The process of securing Riley as a member of the department began several years ago, following Duke’s retirement. John Scherrei, the county’s fire chief at the time, started looking into finding another rescue dog.

Gray had joined the department several years earlier and went through urban search-and-rescue training with Orr. When he met Duke and witnessed a rescue demonstration, he was immediately hooked.

“The things that they can do are astounding — how they can differentiate smells, how they can disregard 50 guys just standing there because they’ve been trained to ignore people who are standing up,” Gray said. “I couldn’t get my head around just how phenomenal this dog was.”

So when Orr declined to work with another rescue dog — a major commitment of time and energy — Gray stepped up to the plate. After nearly two years of training, planning and waiting, Riley became available.

Although fully trained when he arrived, the canine still has to build a rapport with his handler and pass two certifications. Gray said that process should take eight months to a year, followed by recertification tests every three years.

“It’s a huge commitment,” the firefighter said. “It’s a 10-year commitment for myself and my wife.”

Asked about the relationship dynamics between a rescue dog and its handler, Gray said there is definitely a deep connection that develops over time.

“It’s not the emotional attachment you get with a pet,” he said. “You do absolutely get attached, but you understand that treating him like a pet would defeat his purpose in training.”

When Riley retires years down the line, however, Gray said he will become a family pet. It will be a confusing transition for the pooch, who will likely wonder why he no longer has to stay in a kennel when he isn’t working or getting a little “regular dog” time.

But Gray said Riley gradually will start to adjust to the easy life and realize that it’s not such a bad gig, being a pet.

Meet Riley at Elings Park

As Riley settles into his new role in Santa Barbara County, local residents will have a chance to welcome him to the community during a “Meet Riley” dog-friendly party at Elings Park later this month.

Featuring a variety of events — from a dog costume contest to a performance by the Santa Barbara Flyers dog agility group — the party will take place from noon to 2 p.m. on November 22 at the park’s picnic site and baseball fields. Along with a biscuit buffet for pooches and a special presentation by a team of rescue dogs and handlers, the event will also include an introduction ceremony for Riley.

Visitors that bring their camera will have a chance to snap a photo with Riley aboard a fire engine with a $5 donation to the Santa Barbara Firefighters Alliance, which is sponsoring the party. Dogs must be on a leash. More information is available at www.sbfirefightersalliance.org or by calling 708-3565.

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Great story : 11/11/2009

A wonderful addition to your family of fire fighters.

Johni in Oregon

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Riley joins the Fire Department : 11/11/2009

My thanks to the Santa Barbara Fire Department for seeing the need for a dog like Riley! Earthquakes and land slides will happen and having this team ready is certainly adding to the quick response needed in order to find live victims.

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