Participants practice tending to dogs during the Nero’s Law Practical Training Program with the help of a friendly golden retriever. (Photo Courtesy Maynard Fire) One of the licensed Veterinary Technicians provides insight and instruction during the Nero’s Law Training hosted by Maynard Fire on May 28. (Photo Courtesy Maynard Fire) Participants practice performing CPR on a fake dog during Nero’s Law Practical Training at the Maynard Fire Department. (Photo Courtesy Maynard Fire) Belmont Police Sgt. Cory Taylor and K9 Barron during the Nero’s Law Practical Training hosted by Maynard Fire. (Photo Courtesy Maynard Fire)
MAYNARD — Chief Angela Lawless is pleased to share that the Maynard Fire Department hosted and participated in Nero’s Law Practical Training program.
Over 25 people from nine communities participated in the training, which was held on May 28 at the Maynard Fire Station. The course was taught by licensed Veterinary Technicians Dawn Brooks and Jennifer Wu, and Belmont Police K9 Handler Sergeant Cory Taylor and K9 Barron.
The training was centered around Nero’s Law, a recent Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) protocol change, which requires EMS and ambulance personnel to be permitted to transport injured working K9s in the event they are injured in the line of duty.
During the training, firefighter/EMTs and paramedics practiced first-aid responses specific to K9s, proper transportation procedures, and how to use K9-specific equipment, which will now be required to be carried on ambulances. Participants worked with two golden retrievers, a fake CPR dog, and stuffed animals to gain hands-on experience and learn about the anatomy of dogs.
Instructors also discussed proper decontamination procedures to clean and disinfect ambulances after transporting a K9.
The practical training also included an online component that had to be completed prior to in-person learning.
Nero’s Law went into effect in 2022. Every two years, staff are required to complete a refresher course. Maynard Fire ambulances are currently equipped with K9-specific equipment that can be used for the transport and care of a K9 who gets injured in the line of duty.
“This was a wonderful opportunity for staff and mutual aid departments to learn new skills and understand the importance of K9 transport and care if a K9 is injured in the line of duty,” said Chief Lawless. “K9s are exceptional resources to police departments across the state, whether it be narcotics or suspect tracking, or detection. K9s are an extension of public safety and law enforcement, and through this training, we are now better equipped to support and assist our K9 partners.”
Maynard Fire is also looking to host more K9 transportation training opportunities for surrounding communities, to assist mutual aid partners with meeting the state mandate. Training requirements include instruction from a certified veterinary technician, a certified K9 handler, and a trained K9.
About Nero’s Law
Nero’s Law was named after K9 Nero, who was severely injured in the line of duty in 2018 while issuing an arrest warrant with Yarmouth Police K9 Sergeant Sean Gannon, who was sadly killed.
There were no laws in place for K9 emergency medical services, and Nero was transported via police cruiser after suffering a gunshot wound to the face.
Nero survived the unimaginable, and in 2022, the Massachusetts Legislature passed Nero’s Law, which authorizes the transportation and treatment of K9 officers by emergency medical personnel.
For more information about Nero’s Law, click here.
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