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)

Utah Task Force 1 (UT-TF1)

Virginia Task Force 1 (VA-TF1)

Virginia Task Force 2 (VA-TF2)

Diana & Bradley Bacon

Diana & Bradley Bacon

 

Team Info

 

Task Force: California Task Force 8 (CA-TF8)
Agency: San Diego Fire-Rescue
Level: Certified

 

 

Search Dog Info

 

Breed: Black Labrador
Sex: Female
Born: September 7, 2020

 

 

Diana, a petite black Labrador Retriever, is a firecracker who LOVES to hunt! Diana was generously donated as a puppy by Emily and Stephanie Kaiser of Kaiser K9, Inc in Maryland—the same organization that donated Search Dog Leslie, who graduated in December 2020. Since Diana was too young to join our training program when she arrived, she spent her early months being fostered by SDF Director of Canine Operations Tracy Darling and her husband (and SDF handler) Eric Darling. Being raised by a staff member, Diana had the benefit of coming to SDF’s campus daily, where she learned very early on just how much fun it is to climb on rubble and play search games. With her strong hunt drive, Diana progressed quickly through the program and was paired with Bradley Bacon of California Task Force 8 (CA-TF8), based in San Diego, on May 12, 2022. 

 

Before Bradley became a first responder, he worked in hospitals as a trauma tech for three years. His mother had worked in a hospital, too, and he had fond memories of the firefighters coming in during that time. After working with some members of his fire department who were canine handlers, he was inspired to learn more about the position. He volunteered for almost a year with the canine team, learning about the commitment and dedication the job takes and their day-to-day life at the station and at home. The canine team members in his department were all SDF handlers, so he learned about the program from them.  

 

Bradley participated in SDF’s Handler Training Program for several months and was introduced to Diana as a potential partner. Bradley’s first impression of Diana can be summed up in one word: bouncy. (Diana earned her reputation as a “nose-bopper” on campus at a young age.) The twosome hit it off and officially graduated on April 1, 2022. Bradley says her habit of getting your attention by jumping six feet in the air and bopping you in the face with her nose persists, but they’re working on it.  

 

The new team dedicated a tremendous amount of time and energy to a training regimen, aided by their teammates on CA-TF8. They achieved FEMA certification on May 20, 2023, and are now eligible to deploy with the task force when the call comes.  

 

We have high hopes for Diana and Bradley in their career together, bops or not!