The trouble is, it can be very hard to find these hotspots, making this last stage of firefighting a costly and time-consuming process. Any embers or hotspots that aren’t properly extinguished could flare up again in the coming days or weeks, and spark another fire. When firefighters tackle a wildfire, defeating the flames is only the first part of the job. But can they fight fire themselves? You bet! So we know dogs are super helpful in supporting the humans who fight fires. That happy pup, Twenty, lived until 2018, enjoying a whole lot of love and attention from her firefighting friends.ĭalmatians Sussex and Bingo Bango, with members of the Defense Squad of the Boston Fire Department, 1943. Famously, after the Ladder 20 division of FDNY lost seven members in the 9/11 attacks, the Rochester Fire Department gifted them a Dalmatian Puppy as a support dog and companion. It was the start of a lasting relationship: even when the horses were replaced by engines, firefighters kept the Dalmatians around as faithful firehouse dogs. Dalmatian lore, albeit unproven, also has it that these famously spotted pups form especially close bonds with horses.īy the 1870s, the New York Fire Department was using Dalmatians to run ahead of their (still horse-drawn) fire trucks. But why Dalmatians? Partly because they’re excellent companions and very intelligent, with a lot of energy. The Dalmatian running alongside the fire truck is an American icon, but, uh, why?! It all goes back to the 1700s, when English aristocrats would keep Dalmatians to run alongside their horse-drawn carts, chasing off other dogs and any other possible frights along the way. That’s right: man’s best friend has also long been a fire-fighting ally - and today, ingenious dog-canine teams are finding ever-newer ways to pair up against fire. But what about all the ways dogs have kept humans safe from fire over the years? Congratulations to the newly certified teams in Class No.With wildfire season stretching longer each year, dog lovers in fire regions should always make sure they know how to keep their dog safe if a blaze breaks out. For the men and women training in the program, working with a dog is a career highlight. The dogs live in the home of their handler and they retire in the home of their handler. Once certified, the teams travel back to their communities to begin investigating fires. Food reward dogs only eat from the hand of their handler so these training drills will be repeated multiple times a day for the life until the dog retires.įollowing a month of classes and drills, the arson dog teams are tested and certified by the Maine State Police. Over the four weeks, the handler and dog will repeat training drills multiple times a day. The training class is four weeks long and the handlers know it will be intense. They can locate accelerants quickly, even if it is buried under debris.Ĭanine handlers are police detectives or fire investigators. Their “reward” is a handful of dog food and praise. When the dog smells fuel, they sit down and point with their nose. The dogs are trained months before they meet their human handler and must work for every meal. ![]() Arson dog teams can quickly locate evidence of accelerants such as gasoline or fuel used to start a fire.” Meeting and training with a new best friendĪll of the dogs are Labrador retrievers and come from animal rescues or disability assistance programs. “These dogs help fire investigators to do their job. ![]() "Fire investigators should have every tool possible to combat this deadly crime," said Heather Paul, State Farm Arson Dog Program Coordinator. In fact, many police and fire departments are seeing an increase in suspicious fires because of business closures, financial challenges and social disruption. ![]() Insurance fraud causes billions of dollars in damage each year. Since its beginning in 1993, the program has placed more than 425 dogs in 46 states, three Canadian provinces and the District of Columbia.Īrson is one of the most difficult crimes to solve, as the evidence literally burns up. The State Farm Arson Dog Program is available to fire departments and law enforcement agencies across the United States. State Farm is the only company in North America that provides funding for the training of arson dog teams. The dogs are searching for accelerants such as gas, oil or fuel used to start fires. Thanks to the State Farm Arson Dog Program, fire investigators have a secret weapon to locate evidence when arson is suspected.Īrson dogs are trained to work with a human handler and find evidence at fire scenes. While most are accidental, fires started with gas or fuel to destroy property is a crime. Fire is devastating for any homeowner, small business or community.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |