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At just 8 months old, Central Emergency Services hired the youngest employee in its history -- he also has the best nose in the department.

Recently, Ares, a German shepherd, officially joined CES as part of the department's first canine search and rescue pilot program.

"I got him because I saw a really big need for this," said Ares' owner-trainer Dale Lawyer, CES engineer-paramedic. "He can really focus a search a lot faster."

Lawyer estimated Ares can search the same area it takes 30 people to sweep.

"There's a big need for search and rescue around here," said CES Assistant Fire Marshal Brad Nelson.

Lost children, people that are unable to walk and lost hikers, especially at the height of the tourism season, are just a few of the scenarios that Ares will save CES time and possibly save a life.

"In search and rescue, time is of the essence," Lawyer said. "Dogs are huge, huge time savers. The dog can make up for so many people."

Lawyer said in the past Alzheimer patients have wondered off and froze to death because they couldn't be located fast enough. This is another area that Ares will greatly assist CES by reducing the amount of time it takes to find a lost patient.

"(Ares) is something that can fill the void that was needed," Lawyer said. "It's such a great resource to people."

Lawyer, knowing there was a need for the program and having support from his colleagues, purchased Ares as a puppy and began training him from day one. He recently presented the idea to the department and it was approved. Lawyer conducts all of Ares' training.

Lawyer is currently working on wilderness search and rescue training with Ares. This training teaches Ares to locate injured patients who may not be able to walk so CES personnel can locate them as fast as possible.

Lawyer said all CES employees assist with Ares' training by acting as victims during his training exercises.

Ares' training lasts between four and six hours each day. He works on socialization with people and animals, dog agility, obedience training, as well as daily walks on the treadmill and outside.

"Basically, you're raising a little athlete," Lawyer said. "He's very busy. For eight months, he does really well."

Living the firefighters' lifestyle, Lawyer said it's important to train Ares to become accustomed to going from zero to 100 percent. To avoid confusion on scene, many of Ares' commands are in German, Lawyer said.

Three to four days each week, Ares works on tracking. Lawyer said he teaches Ares to walk about 100 yards ahead of him sweeping back and forth as Lawyer walks a straight line. This gives Ares the foundation for sweeping an area by himself that would take four or five humans to do.

Though still considered a pilot program, Lawyer hopes to have Ares certified by the National Association for Search and Rescue by next fall. By 2010, Lawyer is also planning on getting Ares his human remains detection certification to assist CES when searching for cadavers.

Between equipment needed, veterinarian bills, food and training -- Ares has to be sent Outside to receive his NASAR certification -- the canine search and rescue program will be costly. To help defray some of those costs, CES is accepting donations from the community.

Anyone interested can send donations and/or sponsor Ares. Ares is also available for public appearances, Lawyer said.

Anyone interested in donating to this cause can contact Nelson at 262-4792.

Mike Nesper can be reached at mike.nesper@peninsulaclarion.com.