Contributor Jeff Cully took this footage of K9 rescue dogs from Long Island Search and Rescue and local EMS volunteers getting used to getting into and flying in helicopters during a training session in Cutchogue on Saturday. Ray Feeney, chief pilot for North Fork Helicopters based in Cutchogue, was the instructor.
The volunteers and dogs started the training at 9 a.m. and ended the session at 2 p.m. This is the third year the program has been offered. Members of rescue teams regularly work with helicopters, but there has been no local training up until this program.
“The basics are to teach EMS personnel how to work around the helicopters, general safety and to get the dogs used to helicopters,” Cully said. “Some people cannot handle helicopters and the same goes for the dogs.”
