LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - About 14 dogs and their handlers gathered in Lincoln this week to be FEMA-certified as live find and cadaver search canines.

The canine search teams work to find people, live or deceased, who are missing during emergency situations or disasters.

Lincoln Fire & Rescue’s training center served as the base for the dog’s certification programming on Friday and Saturday, with members of LFR and Nebraska Task Force 1 helping to facilitate.

Ashley Engler, NE-TF1’s program manager, said the dogs train with their handlers to work in any environment, regardless of noise or distractions. Their heightened sense of smell is used to find humans, even if they’re buried under rubble or debris.

“The agility of the dogs, they’re able to get into places that humans may not be a

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