実働に求められる捜索能力と、今後の連携に向けて

2026年10月10日・11日
2026年10月10日・11日に開催されたREDOGのプレMRTに、NSAからゼロスが受験しました。また、日頃から交流のある新潟県十日町のチームからも、ウタが受験しました。
今回のプレMRTには、6団体から9頭の捜索犬が参加し、主催側の発表によると、2頭が合格という結果でした。NSAのゼロス、十日町のウタは、ともに合格には至りませんでしたが、実働を想定した評価に挑戦し、現在の能力や今後の課題を確認できたことは、大変貴重な経験となりました。
Search Capabilities Required for Operational Deployment and Future Collaboration
October 10–11, 2026
On October 10–11, 2026, Xeros, representing the Nippon Search Dog Association (NSA), participated in the REDOG Pre-MRT assessment. Uta, from a search dog team based in Tokamachi, Niigata Prefecture, with whom we have maintained a close working relationship, also took part in the assessment.
A total of nine search dogs representing six organizations participated in this Pre-MRT. According to the results announced by the organizers, two dogs successfully passed the assessment.
Although neither Xeros from NSA nor Uta from Tokamachi achieved a passing result, the opportunity to take part in an assessment designed to evaluate capabilities under realistic operational conditions was an extremely valuable experience.
It allowed both teams to gain a clearer understanding of their current capabilities, identify areas requiring further development, and establish important training priorities moving forward.

犬の反応を発見につなげるために

今回は、トレーナーという立場から、各チームの捜索作業を見学する機会をいただきました。
その中で特に印象に残ったのは、犬が捜索中に臭気反応を示していても、ハンドラーがその変化を十分に捉えられず、発見に結び付かない場面が見られたことです。
On this occasion, I was given the opportunity to observe the search performance of the participating teams from the perspective of a trainer.
One of the most notable observations was that, in some instances, dogs displayed behavioral responses indicating that they had encountered scent during the search, but their handlers did not fully recognize or interpret these subtle changes, and the searches did not ultimately lead to a successful find.

捜索犬が臭気を捉える能力を持っていても、その反応をハンドラーが正確に読み取り、状況に応じて適切に判断できなければ、発見という結果につなげることはできません。
犬の能力を高めることはもちろんですが、犬のわずかな行動の変化を見逃さない観察力、反応を判断する力、そして犬とハンドラーが一つのUnitとして機能することの重要性を、改めて認識する機会となりました。
Even when a search dog possesses the ability to detect the target odor, that ability alone does not necessarily lead to a successful find. Unless the handler can accurately recognize and interpret the dog’s responses and make appropriate decisions based on the developing search situation, the dog’s capabilities may not be fully translated into an effective search outcome.
This experience reinforced the importance of not only developing the dogs’ search capabilities, but also strengthening the handlers’ observation skills to recognize even subtle changes in their dogs’ behavior, their ability to accurately interpret those responses, and their decision-making skills.
Above all, it was a valuable reminder of the importance of the dog and handler working together as a single, well-coordinated unit, rather than relying solely on the abilities of the dog.

実働を見据えた継続的な訓練

REDOGのMRTは、実際の捜索活動を想定し、犬とハンドラーのチームとしての能力を確認する評価です。
今回のプレMRTを通じて、捜索技術だけではなく、犬の反応に対するハンドラーの理解や判断、状況に応じた対応など、日頃の訓練で更に強化すべき課題を考えることができました。
私たちが目指しているのは、試験に合格することだけではありません。
REDOG’s Mission Readiness Test (MRT) is designed to assess the capabilities of the dog and handler as a coordinated search unit under conditions intended to reflect real-world search operations.
Through this Pre-MRT assessment, we had an opportunity to reflect not only on the search techniques themselves, but also on the areas that require further development in our regular training. These include the handlers’ ability to understand and accurately interpret their dogs’ responses, make sound decisions, and adapt their actions appropriately to changing search conditions.
Our goal is not simply to pass an assessment.

実際に災害が発生した際、現場で必要とされる捜索活動を安全かつ確実に行えるUnitを育成することです。
そのためにも、外部の評価を受ける機会を大切にしながら、結果を真摯に受け止め、日々の訓練を検証し続ける必要があります。
Our goal is to develop dog-handler units capable of safely and reliably carrying out the search operations required in real-world disaster situations.
To achieve this, we must continue to value opportunities for independent external assessment, take the results seriously, and consistently review and evaluate our daily training practices to identify areas for improvement.

団体の枠を越えた連携へ

災害現場では、一つの団体だけで対応できることには限界があります。
異なる地域や団体に所属するUnitが、発災時に円滑に連携して活動するためには、日頃から互いの能力や捜索に対する考え方を理解し、実践的な訓練を積み重ねていくことが重要です。
NSAでは、こうした考え方を大切にしながら、他団体との合同訓練や技術交流に取り組んでいます。
また、実働を中心とした連携の枠組みも検討している中、今回の経験を一つの出発点として、今後の方向性を考えていきたいと思います。
In real-world disaster situations, there are limits to what any single organization can accomplish on its own.
To enable dog-handler units from different regions and organizations to work together effectively when a disaster occurs, it is essential to develop a mutual understanding of each other’s capabilities and approaches to search operations, while continuing to build practical experience through joint training.
With this principle in mind, NSA has been actively engaged in joint training exercises and technical exchanges with other search dog organizations.
As we also explore the possibility of establishing a framework for inter-organizational cooperation focused on real-world search operations, we hope to use the experience gained from this Pre-MRT as a starting point for considering the direction of our future collaboration.

目指すのは、単に組織をまとめることではなく、それぞれの団体の独立性や専門性を尊重しながら、発災時には共通の認識のもとで協力できる関係を構築することです。そのためには、各団体が同じ方向を向き、現場で求められる能力を継続的に高めていくことが欠かせません。
今回のプレMRTで得られた経験や課題を、NSAだけのものとせず、今後の合同訓練や技術交流にも活かしていきたいと考えています。
Our aim is not simply to bring different organizations together under a single structure, but to build cooperative relationships that respect each organization’s independence and specialized expertise, while enabling them to work together with a shared understanding when a disaster occurs.
Achieving this requires all participating organizations to work toward common objectives and continuously strengthen the operational capabilities needed in real-world search and rescue situations.
We also hope to ensure that the experiences gained and areas for improvement identified through this Pre-MRT are not limited to NSA alone, but are shared and applied through future joint training exercises and technical exchanges with other organizations.

今後に向けて

捜索犬とハンドラーの能力向上に終わりはありません。
今回の結果を受け止め、犬の能力を発見につなげるための観察力や判断力、Unitとしての実働能力を更に高められるよう、日々の訓練に取り組んでまいります。そして、団体や地域の枠を越え、実際の捜索現場で互いに協力できる関係性を築いていくことも、今後の重要な課題です。
Developing the capabilities of search dogs and their handlers is an ongoing process with no final endpoint.
We will take the results of this Pre-MRT seriously and continue to refine our daily training, with particular emphasis on strengthening the handlers’ observation and decision-making skills so that their dogs’ capabilities can be translated into successful finds, while further developing the operational effectiveness of each dog-handler unit.
At the same time, building cooperative relationships across organizational and regional boundaries, so that we can work effectively together during real-world search operations, will remain an important priority moving forward.

最後に、今回のプレMRTの開催・運営に携わられた皆様、貴重な機会を提供してくださった関係者の皆様に心より感謝申し上げます。
Finally, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone involved in organizing and conducting this Pre-MRT assessment, as well as to all those who made this valuable opportunity possible.

※本レポートに掲載している写真は、DRDNの公式Facebookページよりお借りしたものです。

NSAの活動は、民間ボランティアによる行方不明者の捜索活動です。
多くの方々からご支援いただくことで、より速く、より多くの行方不明者捜索にサーチドッグを派遣することができます。皆様のご支援をお願いいたします。
NSA’s activities are carried out by civilian volunteers.
With the support of many individuals, we can deploy search dogs more quickly and to a greater number of missing person cases.
We sincerely ask for your continued support.