BARTA’s Large Animal Rescue Team Leader course is linked to the knowledge and understanding criteria of the National Occupational Standard (Manage Incidents Involving Animals) and Fire and Rescue Service National Operational Guidance (Incidents Involving Animals)

This qualification is designed to equip large animal rescue team leaders with situational awareness, knowledge and skills to determine tactics and lead a team in the resolution of incidents involving large animals.

Using regular incident management principles and animal specific decision tools in conjunction with veterinary and allied professionals, this course will enable Team Leaders to approach often dynamic situations with confidence and clarity of role.

Key areas of learning include:

  • Situational Awareness – Interpreting risk, identifying key objectives; The 6 R’s of animal response
  • Legal frameworks and how they impact decision making
  • Effective briefing and debriefing – The SELECT model
  • Roles and capabilities of a vet led team – joint decision making
  • Techniques and tactics  – Animal casualty centred rescue and human high risk intervention strategies
  • Control and containment – managing loose animals and evacuations

BARTA Re-certification Criteria

BARTA’s Large Animal Rescue Team Leader qualification is valid for 3 years. Re-certification will be on the basis that the candidate can demonstrate they have:

  1. Maintained competency as a large animal rescue responder
  2. Attended an annual qualifying CPD event which might include;
    • BARTA working group
    • NFCC ARPF workshop or forum meeting
    • BARTA hosted course
    • Other relevant training or awareness event
  3. Successfully completed a 2 day BARTA re-certification course

Initial Acquisition Courses:

Duration: 4 days 

Location: BARTA Training Centre, the Horse Trust, Buckinghamshire

Eligible candidates: Competent in role as a Large Animal Rescue Responder and possess a minimum ICS Level 1

Available dates:

  • 17th – 20th March 2026
  • 15th – 18th September 2026

Re-certification Courses:

Duration: 2 days 

Location: BARTA Training Centre, the Horse Trust, Buckinghamshire

Eligible candidates: Qualified BARTA Team Leaders fulfilling criteria for recertification

Available dates:

  • 12th – 13th February 
  • 11th – 12th June
  • 21st – 22nd September
  • 12th – 13th November
Register Interest