TO REPORT A RANGE HORSE INCIDENT,
CALL THE 24-HOUR HOTLINE AT 775-352-3944



2024 TECHNICAL COURSES HAVE NOW BEEN SCHEDULED.
Please click HERE for details.


Least Resistance Training Concepts
(LRTC)
Volunteers Training for Emergencies

TECHNICAL LARGE ANIMAL RESCUE
& DISASTER EVACUATION PAGE
Our mission: To enhance public safety and animal welfare by providing competent multidisciplinary training and services in response to animal emergencies and events that could impact public safety.

The LRTC "Can Do Crew." Difficult jobs done while you wait. The impossible may take slightly longer.


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Who We Are What We Do
Training Programs Owner Resources
Response Resources Technical Information
Guidelines / SOPs Reference Documents
Sample Incidents Safety and Survival
Want to Volunteer? Social Media Links



  WHO WE ARE

Least Resistance Training Concepts (LRTC) is a non-governmental 501(c)(3) organization focused on livestock with two functional divisions: Training and Response. Based in Northern Nevada, we conduct training programs for owners, stakeholders and public safety / animal control personnel. Our qualified technical large animal rescue team responds to an average of over 500 calls per year.

We respond to requests from federal, state, tribal and local authorities as well as from owners and stakeholders when large animal emergencies occur, livestock are on freeways, highways and public places such as ball fields and parks, and when evacuations are required.

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  WHAT WE DO
SLIDESHOW: What the Technical Rescue Program is All About

SLIDESHOW: What the Training Program is All About

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  TRAINING PROGRAMS
Technical Large Animal Rescue

"Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect." - Vince Lombardi

PLEASE REFER TO PREREQUISITES FOUND ON OUR TECHNICAL LARGE ANIMAL COURSES PAGE.

(Now is a good time to catch-up on the available on-line courses.)

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  OWNER RESOURCES
  • Making Your Horse Barn Fire Safe

  • Preventing Barn Fires, an American
       Necessity

  • Index Page for Videos

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      INFORMATION SHEETS AND RESOURCE GUIDES

    LRTC has a wide variety of resources for responding to various types of incidents. Some key resources are listed below. Click on the camera () to view a video copy of the presentation in a new tab.

    RESPONSE UNITS (Fleet):

  • 2024 Resources and Operations (video)

  • Incident Support Unit-1 - Resource Guide (video)

  • Panel Trailers - Resource Guide

  • Rescue-1 - Resource Guide

  • Rescue-2 (Heavy Rescue) - Resource Guide (video)

  • Tactical Support-1 - Resource Guide (video)

  • Type-1 Transport Trailer - Resource Guide

  • Type 2 Transport Trailer - Resource Guide

  • "Hybrid" Rescue/Transport - Resource Guide (video)

  • Response Vehicle Supplies

  • Support Jeep Resource and Procedure Guide

    SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT (and their uses):

  • "Air for Paws" Rescue Kit (video)

  • Combination Ladder

  • Construction Netting (Snow Fencing)

  • Emergency Communications Systems

  • Emergency Fence Repair Kit

  • Emergency "Safe Squeeze" procedure guide

  • Flexible Strap Guide

  • Horseback First Aid Kit

  • Nikopoulos Needle and Jetting Wands

  • Rescue Glide and Foal Glide

  • Personal Gear Bag (or "Go Bag")

  • Rope and Halter Kit

  • Trailer First Aid Kit

  • Water Rescue Harness

  • Water Rescue Practices

    • Everyone working with large animals and rescue equipment during training and actual emergency conditions should always exercise common sense, caution and safe practices. The descriptions provided below are for basic orientation and familiarization and are not a substitute for formal hands-on training or personal responsibility when working with and around large animals and specialized equipment.

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      TECHNICAL INFORMATION

  • Basic Rope Rescue Systems

  • Rescuing a Bogged or Trapped Horse

  • Cattle Guard Rescues

  • Ice Rescues

  • Overturned Vehicle Stabilization

  • Person Down in a Trailer Accident

  • Preparing a Downed Horse for Transport

  • Securing a Horse to a Rescue Glide

  • Rescue / Scene Safety Considerations

  • Portable Water Supply Procedures

  • Nikopoulos Needle /
    Jetting Wand Procedures

  • Water Rescue Harness / Procedures

  • Electric Winch Procedures

  • Link to Index of Skull Session Scenarios

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      RESCUE TRAINING SCENARIO GUIDELINES

    The scenarios listed below are for illustrative purposes only. Their purpose is to familiarize readers with modern and safe approaches in dealing with large animal rescue situations. The information presented is not a substitute for qualified hands-on training. Some of the techniques shown can be hazardous if not applied correctly. Please take all of this information as "awareness level" only! Thanks.

    indicates a video of the incident is included.

    Wide Area Emergencies / Evacuations

    Technical Large Animal Rescue Practices

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      REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

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      SAMPLE INCIDENTS

    The team responds to over 500 calls per year on average. Some of the more notable calls in which photo records were able to be taken are provided below.

    indicates a video of the incident is included.

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      FIRE - FLOOD SAFETY AND
    SURVIVAL PROGRAMS

    This section provides links to agencies and entities that provide critical safety and survival information. Some of these entities or agencies also have on-the-ground programs designed to help communities and individual properties.

    Everyone needs to remember that fire losses can be reduced if people just make basic preparations.

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      WANT TO VOLUNTEER?

    Technical Large Animal Rescue is a comprehensive service that has many elements. As an all-volunteer organization, LRTC relies on volunteers to respond to incidents in the field, however field work can't be effective without logistic and ground support.

    Part of the mission involves sheltering. Qualified volunteers are needed during emergency sheltering as well as for special projects such as caring for orphan foals. Volunteers are also used for range monitoring. There are many activities in which volunteers can participate.

    For people interested in Technical Large Animal Rescue, there are both FEMA and regional training requirements. We have to operate as a team and everyone has to follow best practices. Similarly, volunteers have to be able to work alongside responders from public safety agencies. There is no cost for training, but it is required. (Information regarding training for Technical Large Animal Rescue can be found HERE.)

    Persons interested in becoming involved with the orphan foal project or related range projects can get information from WILD HORSE CONNECTION.

    Range monitoring and population management is conducted by volunteers associated with the AMERICAN WILD HORSE CAMPAIGN.

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      MEDIA LINKS

    Contemporary information and discussions typically appear on social media sites that we are connected with. Here are some that serve our region.

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      MISCELLANEOUS STUFF

      Identification of Credentialed Response Units

    Whether responding to a technical rescue or a wide area emergency, credentialed response units (those that meet response criteria and are staffed by appropriately trained responders) should display proper identification in order to be recognized by law enforcement and other public safety officials as being legitimate. Having some form of identification viewable from the roadway has been a long time tradition.

    An analysis of wildfire incidents where volunteers were operating on the ground while air operations were taking place uncovered several incidents where Air Attack Supervisors had some confusion as to who was operating underneath them and whether the vehicles below were even occupied or abandoned. This confusion involved several types of resources. Our position is that volunteer responders should reduce rather than add to the degree of confusion, providing a distinction between responders attached to an incident, civilians who are just trying to get out, and unoccupied vehicles and trailers.

    In addition, roof top identification large enough to be easily read by aircraft can be a safety asset in the event the Air Attack Supervisor or Helco Supervisor observes a response team heading into a dangerous situation. Being able to immediately identify the unit can facilitate getting a timely message to the correct unit to withdraw.

    Standardized
    Designations
    That We Use

    ISU = Incident Support Units

    R = Rescue (TLAR) Units

    SOS = Special Operations Support Units

    TR = Transport Units

    WS = Water Supply Units

      Air For Paws

    LRTC received the first Air for Paws equipment delivered to non-military responders in Nevada!

      In Remembrance

    John Nunes, 1968 - 2009


    We feel that it is appropriate to pay memorial tribute to Capt. John Nunes of the Contra Costa (California) Fire Protection District. John was significant in motivating many of us to become involved in technical large animal rescue and evacuation activities.

    John passed away on April 4, 2009, from a service related illness. His legacy includes the continuum of career personnel and volunteers who train so that they can help animals and their owners when serious emergencies and disasters strike.

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    Activities!

    We're all volunteers.
    All donations go to actual
    expenses and operating costs.