SBK, the Swedish Working Dog Club, has it among other tasks to train rescue dogs and handlers for the Rescue Service. The training is done locally by qualified instructors.

Every SOS Alarm Central has a list over the certified dogs and handlers. This way we have access to rescue dogs whenever needed at disasters, where victims are buried or blocked in.
Swedish rescue dogs did a great work at the earthquake in Armenia some years ago and in Turkey late last year. 
An important field is the search for people lost in the vast forests. The responsibility for this work lies with the Police, and the various Police Districts signs up a few of the best dogs and handlers.

Dog and handler is contracted by the community rescue service , and the main task is search in disaster areas and forrests, help victims in lifethreatening situations, give first aid etc. This is to be done regardless of weather, wind etc. any time and in any environment. The dogs must show no aggressiveness and be able to travel and work together. Both dog and handler must be in good physical condition.

Training
First of all you and your dog must pass an entrance examination. You are expected to show the capacities necessary for the strains you may face, like search crawling in absolute darkness or working in collapsed buildings. Your dog must have the capacity to work for long time and under severe conditions and it must show great interest in unknown people. It must be able to do a good work regardless of noises, bangs, fire or smoke.
This is probably the most meaningful work you and your dog could participate in. You will learn very much about dogs and dog training and you will become part of a very dedicated team.
Making efforts to save lives and rescue the injured at a disaster must be among the finest things you could do together with your dog.

The Rescue Dog Certificate
After the training, normally about a year and a half, and a couple of intermediate tests you are sent to one of the National Rescue Schools for a final test to prove competent. If you pass this test you and your dog will be called up for a two weeks additional course at a Rescue School. After this the dog is awarded the Certificate, you get a small amount as a reward and you and your dog are signed up with the Rescue Service of your community. You will also receive equipment for yourself and your dog.

A rescue dog must be kept in good shape at all times. Twice a year you are expected to do a check-up test. If you pass this test your name will be on the alarm list for the next six months.
You can never know when you are called out to a disaster area to save lives.

RK, RE och RI rescue dogs
There are three categories av rescue dogs:
RK is the Rescue Dog in the Community rescue service. This is the basic standard that must always be maintained by training and check-up tests.
RE is the Rescue Dog contracted with the Police for the search for persons lost in the terrain. This dog and its handler has additional training and tests carried out by the Police.
RI is the Rescue Dog for International tasks. The Rescue Schools sign up some of the best dogs and handlers for work at e.g. earthquakes. These dogs have additional special training periods four times a year.

Something for you and your dog?
We have had many questions about this. To put it short you must be over 18 years, in good health (e.g. not permanently dependent on medicines) and a Swedish citizen open to contracting. Naturally your attitude is important.
Your dog must have the right capacities, e.g. lots and lots of energy, great interest in unknown people, good nerves, unaffected by noise or shots, fire, darkness, unstable environment hardly traversable.