Large Animal Rescue

Emergency Equine Response Unit, in Kansas.

B.E.A.R. (Basic Equine Awareness and Rescue) is a "Level 1" eight-hour course designed for the horse owner and the Level 1 first responder. The B.E.A.R. course appeals to ranch owners, horse owners, firefighters, law enforcement, animal control, and rescue personnel. This course serves only as a basic awareness on large animal rescue with an emphasis on equine rescue. The B.E.A.R. course is complimentary to both the Code 3 Associates Technical Animal Rescue Course, and the Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue course instructed by Tomas and Rebecca Gimenez. B.E.A.R. also includes instruction and information given by fire Capt. John and Debbie Fox to help promote large animal rescue instruction across the nation.

Eric Thompson is a graduate of Kansas University with a B.G.S. in Environmental Science. From 1990 to 1994, Eric worked for Kansas Wildlife and Parks conducting research studies in both wildlife and fisheries fields. In 1997, Eric graduated the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center with his Police commission. Currently Eric is working for Shawnee Police Department as a Community Service Officer. He is currently an instructor for the Kansas Animal Control Association in topics such as Search/Seizure, Dangerous Animal Handling, Large Animal Handling, Chemical Immobilization, Officer Safety Tactics, and Kansas Animal Law.

In 2003, Eric was asked to be on the state of Kansas Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) planning committee. Eric also served one year as Midwest Regional Director for the Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS). Currently, Eric is a national responder and instructor for Code 3 Associates and is Operations Manager for the Emergency Equine Response Unit (EERU). Code 3 Associates and EERU are a rescue operations team that can provide assistance nationally for animals in disasters. The most recent deployment for Code 3 was to New Orleans after hurricane Katrina.

Eric is certified in water, mud, rock, and trailer rescues of animals, and has received 15 certificates of achievement from FEMA in disaster planning. Eric is a certified National Equine Cruelty Investigator through L.E.T.I at the University of Missouri. In addition, Eric is working with several counties in both Missouri and Kansas as a FAD planning consultant. Recently, Eric has been instructing Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) in Missouri on how to handle animals in disasters. For more information on these animal rescue resources go EERU or Code 3 Associates.

Emergency Training Systems, in Tennessee.

Formed in the mid 1990s by firefighters to train other firefighters and emergency personnel in specific job related functions. Classes are held across the country and also at training sites in Florida and Tennessee. ETS's horse-related classes include: Barn Fire Safety Training for the Equine Owner; Barn/Fire Tactics and Strategies for Emergency Personnel; Firefighter and Emergency Personnel Horse Handling; and Horse Trailer Driving Class. Classes are complete with live smoke, lights, sirens, pumping fire apparatus, and flowing handlines.

Jeff Galloway started Emergency Training Systems with the goal that people learn best by hands-on training. With over 28 years in the fire service, Jeff retired from Palm Beach County (Florida) Fire Rescue in 2004. Previous deployments as a Federal Safety Officer include the Columbia Shuttle Disaster, Florida Hurricane season 2004, Wildfire seasons of 1998, 2000-2004, and Hurricane Andrew. Jeff also holds a Federal Red Card for Strike Team Engine Leader, Strike Team Crew Leader and Structure Protection Specialist and has been deployed both within the State of Florida and Nationally. He has served as the Safety Officer, Deputy Incident Commander and Liaison Officer with the Florida Type II Interagency Management Gold Team.

Jeff is an avid horse owner, rider and Large Animal Rescue Instructor. He is now concentrating on training Firefighters and Emergency Personnel how to handle horses and other large animals during disasters, Barn Fires and other emergency situations. For more information on these animal rescue resources go Emergency Training Systems.

Reflected J Livestock in Alberta, Canada.

Jennifer Woods obtained an Animal Science degree from Colorado State University in 1992. She has extensive experience with cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, elk and bison.

Currently, Jennifer works closely with and consults to the livestock industry across North America and Europe. She has been delivering livestock handling courses including Livestock Emergency Response, Livestock Behavior and Handling and Livestock Handling for Youth throughout North America since 1997. Jennifer is trained and certified in Large Animal Rescue and has been assisting on accident scenes since 1998.

Jennifer has certified Canadian universities for the Canadian Council on Animal Care and developed a livestock behavior and handling curriculum for colleges. In 2004, she started working with Dr. Temple Grandin for certification to perform Livestock Handling Audits for Auction Marts and Meat Plants.

In 2006, Jennifer was presented with the Award of Distinction for Innovation by Alberta Farm Animal Care for her Livestock Emergency Response Program. This honor is “awarded to a person/company who has developed a new process, product or source of knowledge that has made a significant impact on the improvement of the welfare of livestock and the industry. The honorees are also saluted for their effort to work collectively with the industry to share the innovation.” The initiative to develop Canada’s first training program to assist first responders and livestock haulers with livestock related accidents was recognized as exemplary.

Jennifer holds Membership in Animal Transportation Association (International); Animal Agriculture Alliance; Canadian Agricultural Safety Association; and, Alberta Farm Animal Care.

For more information on these animal rescue resources go to Reflected J Livestock.

The Large Animal Rescue Co., in California.

The Large Animal Rescue Co. delivers the California State Fire Training FSTEP class, Large Animal Rescue Operational, developed by John and Debra Fox of the Felton Fire Protection District. This training combines the technical skills of the Fire Service with an understanding of horse characteristics and behavior. The class, LAR Operational, was built on the efforts of others including Timothy Collins, Tomas and Rebecca Gimenez, and tempered by expert horsemen Ray Berta and Mark Rashid.

LAR Operational reflects the field experience gained through the many rescues performed by Felton Fire, an average of one per month. The techniques reflect innovative adaptations to cope with dramatic and remote terrain. Meticulously reviewed by experts in related fields, the class structure reflects the high standards of California State Fire Training, provides a “common page” for all emergency responders and horse owners, and offers state recognized certification in this new technical skill. Large Animal Rescue was established as an official response in Santa Cruz County in 1997.

John Fox has been a Firefighter/Captain/Battalion Chief with FFPD for 20 years. Previous to joining FFPD, he was a Captain with Lockheed Fire Dept. until closure of the department. An avid horseman, John established the Felton Fire Dept. LAR Unit that responds mutual aid throughout central California.

He is the primary developer of LAROperational, approved by CA State Fire Training and P.O.S.T. and is a CA State Fire Instructor 1. John also works as a Peace Officer/Investigator for the State of California.

Deb Fox has been an active responder with the FFPD for over 8 years, first as photographer then as a Firefighter/EMT. A horsewoman with 24 years experience, she is a lead in the LAR Unit and a veteran of numerous rescues. Deb earned her CA State Fire Instructor 1A and 1B and was a developer of LAROperational. She also works as a Paintings Conservator for the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco.

For more information on these animal rescue resources go to The Large Animal Rescue Co.

Frandford Fire Department, in Maine.

Frandford Fire offers a day-long LAER Awareness program for first responders.

They also offer a 6-hour horse owner course, "Is Your Horse Rescue Ready", at clubs, seminars, and meetings. This course teaches owners how to better enable a rescue in the event of an incident, as well as the workings of rescue personnel on scene.

The goal of the Rescue Ready Owners Program is to better enable efficiencies on scenes for all horses, owners, and responders involved in a LAER incident.

Lead Instructors:
Vicki Schmidt: Maine State Fire Instructor II with Maine Fire Training & Education as well as Training Officer and firefighter for Buckfield Fire Department in Buckfield ME.

Vicki also serves on the Maine Fire Protection Services Commission, and the Advisory Council for Maine Fire Training & Education. Vicki is Training Program Coordinator for The Frandford Mutual Aid Fire Training Association and specialized in Large Animal Emergency Rescue and Firefighter I programs for rural departments. She also owns and operates Troika Drafts in Hebron ME., specializing in drafts & crosses.

Rob Dixon: Lieutenant for the Rumford Fire Department, Rumford Maine and also a paramedic and Captain for Andover Fire Dept in Andover ME. His specialties are technical rescue of all sorts as well as company operations for structural fire fighting.

Rob is also a Maine Certified Municipal Instructor II and President of the Frandford Mutual Aid Fire Training Association.

Assistant Instructors:
Frank Walker: Firefighter I and Maine Certified Municipal Instructor II for Hebron Fire Department. Frank has also been involved with showing draft horses, builds wagons, and, as a farrier, operates a haul-in farrier service for draft horses in Maine.

Gene Cote: State Fire Instructor II and Logistics Services for Maine Fire Training & Education. Gene is also a full-time paramedic and firefighter for the Portland ME Fire Department and serves on JetPort Rescue for the Portland International Jetport. His specialties are all facets of technical rescue with a passion for high and low angle.

Equine Instructors:
Troika's RIT Ready, a 2004 Shire Gelding, is the gem of the equine trainers and has a friendly passion for the smell of smoke on helmets and jackets!

Troika Ember JAC, a 2004 Shire mare, is also a favorite of students with her ability to communicate in perfect horse to human language.

New England Truffles, a 2007 Shire filly, is a natural "people horse" due to losing her mom at a very early age.

For more information on these animal rescue resources go to Frandford Fire. You can also call 207-966-2280 or email.

Sierra Rescue, in California.

Sierra Rescue is the California Regional Training Center for Rescue 3 International. They have training facilities in Quincy on the Feather River, Coloma on the South Fork American River, and in Knights Ferry on the Stanislaus River, as well as select locations in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah.

Sierra Rescue specializes in swiftwater rescue, including two technical animal rescue classes. With more than 25 years experience, Sierra Rescue provides expert instruction and superior training experience in the outdoor rescue professional industry. They will happily design a class around your needs.

For more information on these animal rescue resources go to Sierra Rescue. You can also email.