SMART – Specialized Mobile Animal Rescue Team

In February 2012, the Department consolidated its Small Animal rescue Team (SmART), Department Air Rescue Team (DART), Wildlife Program and Permit Section into one Special operations Unit. The Department further unified the Small Animal rescue Team (SmART) and Department Air rescue Team (Large Animal Rescue Team – DART) into one join venture now called, the Specialized Mobile Animal Rescue Team (SMART). This reorganization resulted in leveraging staff to do more than one function, as staff was cross trained to support each other. The end result is more staff are available for emergency call outs and Departmental field support. Most importantly, the Department is able to provide increased quality and improved services to the public while maximizing safety and support to our personnel.

The SMART team has a 100% save rate since they began using their specialized training, experience and knowledge for rescuing small and large animals in distress. The Special Operations Unit, including the SMART team, is under the command of Director of Field Operations, Karen Knipscheer-Cox and being led by Acting Lt. Armando Naverrete. The SMART team consists of ten LA Animal Services Officers and one Registered Veterinary Technician.

Did you know that SMART is the first specialized mobile urban rescue team? SMART was created because there was a demand for a team dedicated to rescuing animals stuck in extreme situations on a regular basis.

Did you know that SMART will rescue any type of small animal? SMART rescues all small animals whether it is stray, wild, or owned. Examples of recent SMART rescues include: a stray cat stuck in a tree for 5 days, a hawk with a leash on its leg entangled on a TV antenna, an unweaned kitten trapped between two walls for 4 days, a fox in a tree at a school under lock-down a cat stuck in a storm drain, a dog that fell over a fifty foot cliff, and a cat stuck in the LA River.

Did you know that SMART is always available? SMART will respond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When an animal is in distress, call your local Animal Shelter at 1-888-452-7381

Did you know that SMART had to create their training curriculum from scratch? Since there has never been a small animal rescue team like SMART, the team modified concepts and equipment designed for human urban search and rescue so that they could be applied towards animals.

SMART
Did you know that the members of SMART combined their passion for rescuing animals with their recreational knowledge and experience of rock climbing and rappelling? The team members had extensive experience with rock climbing and rappelling and felt that these skills could be used to rescue animals, with this the team created RAK which is the essence of all their training exercises.

Did you know that SMART created the acronyms MARTE (Mock Animal for Rescue Training Exercises), MARS (Mock Animal Rescue Scenario), RAK (Ropes, Anchors, and Knots), and POLR (Pools, Oceans, Lakes, and Rivers)? SMART coined these phrases so their specialized training and techniques can be used as models for future small animal rescue teams.

Did you know that SMART is NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) Certified to perform swift-water rescue operations across the country? In July and November of 2009, SMART went through swift-water rescue training and has since made modifications for the rescue training geared towards rescuing humans so that it can be applied to saving animals’ lives.

Did you know that SMART has a Registered Veterinary Technician? SMART recognized the need to have a medic available at rescues to provide emergency medical care and ensure the animal is stable prior to the rescue. The RVT undergoes the same specialized training, making him capable of treating an animal stuck in any type of extreme situation.

Did you know that all 7 SMART Members are NFPA certified in Low Angle Rope Rescue Operations (L.A.R.R.O.) In addition to the training curriculum that SMART created they saw the need to be able to understand and be efficient with the training that Fire Departments and Mountain Search and Rescue Teams adhere to across the Nation.

SMART Wish List

CMC Rescue / www.cmcpro.com
Response Harness Medium, Item#202184, $450 ea, QTY 6 Response Harness Large, Item#2028156, $50 ea, QTY 6 Uniform Rappel Belt Small, Item#202422, $60ea, QTY 6
Uniform Rappel Belt Medium, Item#202423, $60ea, QTY 6
Uniform Rappel Belt Large, Item#202424, $60ea, QTY 6
Uniform Rappel Belt X-Large, Item#202425, $60ea, QTY 2
Palisades Pack Uni, Item#440633, $191ea, QTY 6
Rope bag model 2 blue, Item# 430202, $82ea, QTY 6
Rope Bag model 2 red, Item#430203, $82ea, QTY 6
Rope Bag model 3 black, Item#430305, $98ea, QTY 6
Rope Bag model 3 yellow, Item#430307, $98ea, QTY6
Mesh bag uni, Item#440742, $70ea, QTY 20
Water Rescue Bag uni, Item#440752, $156ea, QTY 20
Shasta Bag Red, Item#440423, $185ea, QTY 12
Pro Pocket Black, Item#434105, $68ea, QTY 24
Heavy Rescue Organizer Red, Item#770403, $141ea, QTY 4
Heavy Rescue Organizer Black, Item#770405, $141ea, QTY 4
Heavy Rescue Organizer Orange, Item#770401, $141ea, QTY 4
System pac Orange, Item#440511, $246ea, QTY 4
Survivor 8 alum, Item#300875, $29ea, QTY 20
Traverse litter orante, Item#726125, $935ea, QTY 2
Mule II litter wheel uni, Item#331602 $1585ea, QTY 1
Rescue litter harness, red/blue, Item#724131, $161ea, QTY 2
Helitack stork red, Item#724309, $1800ea, QTY 1
Carlson Rescue Board Green, Item# 479000, $485ea, QTY 2
Harken riggers winch uni, Item#733510, $1725 ea, QTY 3
NFPA throw bags 50 ft, Item#291750, $96ea, QTY 12
NFPA throw bags 75 ft, Item#291775, $130 ea, QTY 12
Arizona Vortex kit uni, Item#727300, 4975ea, QTY 1
Load Release Strap blue, Item#201108, $69ea, QTY 6
Edge Guards medium, Item#294030, $38ea, QTY 12
Edge Guards large, Item#294029, $42ea, QTY 12
Command 20 tasker s 72 lumens, Item#133429, $107ea, QTY 20
Rope Web Cutter Uni, Item#268010, $82ea, QTY 2
US divers fins yellow, Item#474150, $81pr, QTY 6
8 link black, Item#201202, $25 ea, QTY 20
Etrier blue, Item#201122, $57ea, QTY 4
Etrier red, Item#201132, $57ea, QTY 4
Rope Rescue Field Guide uni, Item#993232, $30ea, QTY 20
Tech Rescue Field Operations uni, Item#993601, $25ea, QTY 20
Swiftwater Rescue Guide Uni, Item#993110, $21ea, QTY 20
Rope Rescue Manual Uni, Item#993221, $65ea, QTY 12
Swiftwater Rescue Book Uni, Item#993101, $31ea, QTY 12
Pro Series Radio Harness Black, Item#240029, $91ea, QTY 12
Radio Holster, Item#240027, $41ea, QTY 12
Sunbrero Black, Item#492155, $37ea, QTY 12
Doo Rag Black, Item#492005, $10ea, QTY 20
MPD 11mm, Item#33010, $789ea, QTY 4
MPD 13mm, Item#33000, $789ea, QTY 4
Kootenay Pulley Orange, Item#33000, $282ea, QTY 2
Pro tech pulleys, general, Item#300501, $69ea, QTY 12
Pro tech pulleys, general, Item#300502, $106ea, QTY 12
HD pulleys, general, Item#300441, $130ea, QTY 12
HD pulleys, general, Item#300442, $180ea, QTY 12
HD pulleys, general, Item#300461, $175ea, QTY 12
Pro tech pulleys, tech use, Item#300161, $20ea, QTY 24
Pro tech pulleys, tech use, Item#300169, $20ea, QTY 24
Pro tech pulleys, manual, Item#300182, $25ea, QTY 40
Pro tech pulleys, auto lock, Item#300193, $25ea, QTY 40
CMC ascender, red, Item#341103, $85ea, QTY 20
Ascender, right, Item#343039, $69ea, QTY 6
Ascender, left , Item#343035, $69ea, QTY 6
Rock n lock, 8-13mm, Item#343053, $75ea, QTY 6
3D Descender, general, Item#300880, $249ea, QTY 12
Rescue rack, general, Item#300890, $189ea, QTY 6
Anchor plate,red, Item#300610, $67ea, QTY 12
Anchor plate micro, red, Item#300610, $37ea, QTY 12
Azorp Kit, org/blue, Item#727400, $512ea, QTY 2
Water rescue tether, yellow, Item#201707, $79ea, QTY 12
Kongo carabiner, red, Item#368100, $30ea, QTY 12
Kongo carabiner, black, Item#368105, $42ea, QTY 12
Prusik cord, 6mm, Item#293012, .68ft, 400ft
Prusik cord, 8mm grn, Item#293018, .72ft, 600ft
Prusik cord, 8mm red, Item#293038, .72ft, 600ft
Flat web, orange, Item#200111berry, .58ft, 200ft
Flat web, yellow, Item#200117berry, .58ft, 200ft
New England Rope, 13mm white, Item#k00160, $1.40ft, 600 ft
New England Rope, 13mm red, Item#k01160, $1.61ft, 600 ft
New England Rope, 13mm green, Item#k02160, $1.61ft, 600 ft
New England Rope, 13mm blue, Item#k03160, $1.61ft, 600 ft
New England Rope, 13mm black, Item#k04160, $1.61ft, 600 ft
New England Rope, 13mm orange, Item#k05160, $1.61ft, 600 ft
Mustang sentinel drysuit, medium, item#msd674, $1800e, QTY 4
Mustang sentinel drysuit, large, item#msd674, $1800e, QTY 4
Mustang sentinel drysuit, x-large, item#msd674, $1800e, QTY 2

Animal Care Equipment Services (ACES), www.animal-care.com
Super Talon Animal Catcher kit, Item#STAC, $1686 e, QTY 2
Super Talon Animal Catcher CO2, STAC-CO2, $5 ea, QTY 48
Magnum net, net, Item#3641-k, $150 ea, QTY 4
Bird mammal net, net, Item#3543, $665 ea, QTY 6
Humaniac net, net, Item#fn-lxk, $108 ea, QTY 6
Little dandy, net, Item#fd-ld, $50 ea, QTY 6
Classic hammock, net, Item#fp-ch, $124 ea, QTY 6
Talon gloves, small, Item#tg-s, $62 pr, QTY 4
Talon gloves, medium, Item#tg-m, $62 pr, QTY 4
Talon gloves, large, Item#tg-l, $62 pr, QTY 4
Talon gloves, xlarge, Item#tg-xl, $62 pr, QTY 2
Muzzles, set, Item#mbuset6, $98 ea, QTY 4

GALLS, www.galls.com
5:11 parka 3 in 1 Red, Item#ja331, $250ea, QTY 12

Amazon, www.Amazon.com
Jet Grip, JPW-JG-300A, Item#286530, $550ea, Qty 4

Bishop co., www.bishco.com
Dynaglide orange, Item#15250200600, $90ea, 600 ft
Dynaglide green, Item#15270200600, $90ea, 600 ft
Slick Line yellow, Itemslick150, $13ea, 150 ft
Big Shot Kit with poles, Item#4175300, $112 ea, QTY 2
Throw weight 7 oz, Item#acroflex8, $12ea, QTY 6
Throw weight 10 oz, Item#acroflex10, $12ea, QTY 6
Throw weight 12 oz, Item#acroflex12, $12ea, QTY 6
Throw weight 14 oz, Item#acroflex14, $12ea, QTY 6
Throw weight 16 oz, Item#acroflex16, $12ea, QTY 6
Ascentree double, Item#b19aaa, $220ea, QTY 4
Rockgrab 90 deg, Item#rg290, $90ea, QTY 12
Pantin right, Item#b02cra, $80ea, QTY 6
Pantin left, Item#b02cla6, $80ea, QTY 6
Bee line eye to eye, 8mm, 34”, Item#40730, $42ea, QTY 12
Bee line eye to eye, 8mm, 24”, Item#40710, $42ea, QTY 12
Ocean Poly, 10mm, 33”, Item#27330, $19ea, QTY 12
Ocean Poly, 10mm, 25.5”, Item#27310, $17ea, QTY 12
Snap aluminum blue, Item#fp8002, $22ea, QTY 12
Snap aluminum red, Item#sl9660, $17ea, QTY 12
Limelite reel, 11/7mm, 600’, Item#117x600ll, $476ea, QTY 1
Blue moon, 11/7mm, 600’, Item#117x600dm, $465ea, QTY 1
Transporter tool, Item#c5m, $65ea, QTY 20
DMM Revolver auto, Item#a277, $50ea, QTY 20
CMI micro pulley, Item#rp110, $30ea, QTY 20

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