London Fire Brigade’s Fire Investigation Team has welcomed a new four-legged recruit, with five-month-old Chase joining the ranks.
Working Cocker Spaniel Chase is following in the paw prints of recently retired Fire Investigation Search Dog (FISD) Sherlock and current FISDs Smokey and Simba, as he begins his journey to becoming a fully trained and certified member of the team.
Fire Investigation Search Dogs have an exceptional sense of smell and are specially trained to detect traces of a range of ignitable substances. They play an important role in investigations by helping fire investigators identify evidence that could indicate whether a fire was started deliberately.
FISDs are selected at a young age for qualities including a strong drive to play. Their training uses positive reinforcement, with the dogs rewarded with a tennis ball when they successfully locate the scent of an ignitable substance.
Over the coming months, Chase will undertake an intensive training programme. He will learn to detect traces of different ignitable substances and search increasingly complex environments, progressing from a single room to multiple rooms and floors.
His training will also introduce more challenging search areas, including letterboxes, spaces under stairs and large open areas. Chase will also learn how to clearly indicate to his handler when he has identified a potential find.
At the end of his training, Chase and his handler, Sub Officer Peter Guppey, will undertake an assessment in which they will need to demonstrate their ability to work effectively as a team, searching a range of environments and successfully locating traces of ignitable substances.
Sub Officer Peter Guppey said: “Chase is a great little character and he’s already a pleasure to work with. He’s enthusiastic, inquisitive and always keen to get involved, so I’m really enjoying getting to know him.
“There’s a lot for us both to learn over the coming months. We’ll gradually introduce more challenging searches as his confidence and skills develop, with the aim of getting us ready to take our assessment together.
“It’s really rewarding to be part of that journey from the very beginning and I’m excited to see what Chase can achieve.”
Fire Investigation Station Commander Darren Woodhams said: “Fire Investigation Search Dogs are a valuable asset to our investigators, and selecting and training the next generation is an important part of maintaining that capability.
“Chase is showing the drive and enthusiasm we want to see in a working dog and is responding well to his early training. He still has a long way to go, but he’s made a promising start and we hope he will go on to become a fully qualified member of the team.”
The Brigade’s Fire Investigation Search Dogs can have long careers and undertake regular refresher training and assessments to ensure their skills remain at the required standard.