TRAINING AND SERVICE LEVELS
There are two levels of FFHSC K-9 Handlers:
Type 1 Handler: Can respond upon request to local incidents with their respective Department’s Peer Support Team, both to group or one on one interventions. They are also State-wide incident deployable with Peer Support Teams.
NOTE: All Type 1 Handlers must have an approved Group Peer Response certification
Type 2 Handler: Can respond to local incident with their respective Department’s Peer Support Team, both to group or one on one interventions. (Type 2 Handlers can respond to State-wide incidents with approval from the State Coordinator or designee and working in tandem mentored by a Type 1 Handler
Registering for the FFHSC Response K-9 Training will require proof of completion of the following prerequisite certifications for both Type 1 and Type 2 Handlers.
Peer Support Certification Accepted: (One or more from the following certifications)
- ICISF C.I.S.M Group and Individual Peer Response Class
- E.A.C.T. training offered by UCF Restores Program
- A.F.F. Peer Support model
- NSU Peer Support model
- Illinois Peer Support model
- North Carolina Peer Support model
One or more of the following 2-hour minimum Selfcare Class:
- Mental Health First Aid for First Responders
- Boulder Crest “Struggle Well” class
- An equivalent selfcare class (confirm before taking a different class)
The following class from a certified instructor:
- K-9 First Aid and CPR Class