Specialist dog teams are being deployed to assist in locating missing people near rivers and lochs, with initial operations focused on the central belt and Fife
The Scottish Ambulance Service has begun deploying trained search dogs to assist in locating missing people in hard to reach areas around rivers and lochs, with early operations centred on the central belt and Fife.
The capability brings together volunteer trained Labrador retrievers and the service’s Special Operations Response Team, known as SORT. The dogs have been prepared by Central K-9 Search and Rescue and will support searches along riverbanks and wooded areas where access can be slow and difficult.
The development addresses a practical challenge faced during water incidents. Dense vegetation and uneven ground can delay efforts to locate individuals, particularly in the early stages of a search. The use of trained dogs is intended to help clear these areas more efficiently, allowing specialist water rescue technicians to focus on work in the water itself.
Steve Band, a SORT paramedic who leads the Central K-9 team, said the approach grew out of operational experience. He noted that navigating riverbanks and surrounding terrain can divert attention from the primary task of water rescue.
“The dogs’ primary aim is to assist in clearing areas at a water incident,” he said, describing how canine teams can work ahead of or alongside responders to search land efficiently.
Each deployment is structured around a small team. A dog unit typically consists of a handler and a search technician, the latter responsible for communications, navigation and safety. This allows the handler to concentrate on interpreting the dog’s behaviour and directing the search.
At present, the programme remains limited in scale. Operations are focused on the central belt and Fife, with plans to extend coverage more widely as additional dogs and handlers complete training. Further teams are expected to begin training in the coming months.
Band indicated that the intention is to expand gradually to cover all SORT areas across Scotland. For now, requests for assistance are coordinated through the SORT team, with dog units deployed when a team leader determines they would be of value at an incident.
The use of search dogs is well established in other areas of emergency response, particularly in mountain rescue and disaster recovery. Their introduction into water related incidents reflects a broader effort to refine how different environments are searched and managed.
While the announcement does not set out detailed figures on how frequently the dogs will be deployed, the approach is designed to complement existing methods rather than replace them. The emphasis is on improving efficiency in specific conditions where terrain presents a clear obstacle.
As the programme develops, its practical impact will become clearer through operational use. For now, the introduction of trained dog teams represents a measured addition to the tools available to emergency responders dealing with complex and often time sensitive situations.
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