Search Teams

Our Search Teams

Baja California Task Force 3 (BC-TF3)

California Regional Task Force 7 (CA-RTF7) Ventura County

California Task Force 1 (CA-TF1) Los Angeles City

California Task Force 2 (CA-TF2) Los Angeles County

California Task Force 3 (CA-TF3) Bay Area

California Task Force 4 (CA-TF4) Oakland

California Task Force 5 (CA-TF5) Orange County

California Task Force 7 (CA-TF7) Sacramento

California Task Force 8 (CA-TF8) San Diego

Nebraska Task Force 1 (NE-TF1)

New York Task Force 2 (NY-TF2)

Oklahoma Task Force 1 (OK-TF1)

Texas Task Force 1 (TX-TF1)

Utah Task Force 1 (UT-TF1)

Virginia Task Force 1 (VA-TF1)

Virginia Task Force 2 (VA-TF2)

Chester & Daniel Thomas

Chester & Daniel Thomas

Team Info

Task Force: California Task Force 8 (CA-TF8)
Agency: San Diego Fire-Rescue
Level: DHS/FEMA Certified
Most Recent Certification: June 18, 2022

Search Dog Info

Breed: Belgian Malinois
Sex: Male
Born: January 16, 2020
Recruited from Burbank Animal Shelter

 

Chester was surrendered with his littermate, Ursala, to the Burbank Animal Shelter in California after allegedly being found running in the street. Recognizing their toy drive, shelter staff contacted SDF. After viewing evaluation videos of the two pups, SDF recruiters conducted an onsite evaluation, and both were approved to enter our training program.

Once at our National Training Center, this sharp, fast, and fun-loving Malinois established himself as a staff favorite. He was always eager to learn and applied himself diligently to training. Always thinking, Chester’s intelligence helped him excel in obedience and develop a methodical, detailed search style. During his downtime, Chester would charm everyone with his outgoing personality. He’s a big cuddle bug who is always down for a snuggle. When meeting new people, he would sidle up to them and nudge their hands, soliciting affection.

Chester was paired with his first responder handler, Daniel Thomas of Chula Vista Fire, California Task 8, on May 7, 2022. Deeply influenced by his parents’ philosophy that the best way to show love for others is to serve them, Daniel has always loved serving people. Before becoming a firefighter, Daniel worked as a lifeguard and enjoyed the teamwork dynamic and the ability to help people in emergencies. From there, he was inspired to enter the fire service in 2000, joined his task force in 2004, and has been with them ever since.

Daniel was inspired to become a canine handler after deploying with his task force to Hurricane Katrina as a Rescue Specialist, where he experienced firsthand the tight bond Canine Search Specialists share with their partners. He heard about SDF from fire department colleagues and SDF handlers Linda D’Orsi and Clint Schepe and decided to apply.

One of Daniel’s favorite moments working with Chester was during their final Certification Evaluation. He stopped Chester from jumping off a ten-foot drop and asked him to jump into his arms instead. Chester trusted Daniel to catch him and jumped. It wasn’t something they practiced or planned for, but like real-life deployments, Daniel said, you plan and train for one scenario and use other skills you picked up along the way.

After his incredible jump, Chester went on to find the other three hidden victims, and Daniel and Chester passed their evaluation. We’re sure it will be the first of many and are so proud of this team!