TESTIMONY OF CAPTAIN SCOTT SHIELDS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE – February 17, 2004

Members of the committee, I want to thank you for this opportunity to speak on a subject that is close to my heart. My name is Captain Scott Shields and I am Director of Marine Safety for the New York City Urban Parks Search and Rescue Team. I also led the first search and rescue teams at the World Trade Center, but I am best known for being the handler of Bear—the most decorated search and rescue dog from Ground Zero.

As I travel around the country lecturing on emergency management or testifying before committees such as yours I am often asked what made Bear so different? I always answer that he grew up in Connecticut where a dog can learn to be free and responsible. I want to thank both the Connecticut Legislature and the Governor’s office for making July 9^th, 2003, Captain Shields’s and Bear the Rescue Dog’s Day in Connecticut.

If I may take the liberty to quote from the official citation of the General Assembly about my dog Bear (I am a proud father): “You are a symbol of all that is good in this state and in this country. Your dedication and unselfishness are role models for others to follow and we are proud to honor you.” As I sit here today before you I am also proud to say that I am surrounded by those who would sacrifice their lives and their good fortunes in the spirit of the Minuteman.

I began my career in emergency management as a volunteer here in Connecticut. I would often take time away from my business and my family to serve my community. There were occasions when this created a financial burden. This bill that would provide job security and tax benefits for searchers on a parity with other volunteers, as well as protect workers from being fired or having their pay docked when they leave on searches is important for the safety of all the citizen’s of Connecticut. If we don’t protect these volunteer search and rescue teams, who often pay upwards of 93 % out-of-pocket for equipment, training, and travel expenses, we may lose them, and this would be a terrible loss. This bill also seeks to protect the physical safety of searchers and their dogs by making it a crime to assault a searcher or his or her canine partner. This is important so that these volunteers can safely conduct their missions.

I believe this bill to protect the rights of search and rescue teams—both human and canine members is long overdue. I would hope that sometime in the future the legislature would add to this bill guarantying the right of search and rescue dogs to have access to public accommodations and public transportation. Imagine responding to a disaster in Hartford or Stamford and not being able to find a place to sleep or take public transportation because your rescue dog is not considered a service dog?

I would like to thank the committee for this opportunity to speak before you on behalf of search and rescue workers throughout the State of Connecticut and throughout the country. These men, women, and canines who never fail to answer the call so that others may live deserve your positive consideration in passing this important bill.