Three-year-old Ember (in photograph) and eight-year-old Barney are a key part of the Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service (BFRS) Fire Investigation team. They are trained to locate ignitable liquids at fire scenes and will attend after a fire as part of the investigation into what caused the blaze. They recently visited Chiltern International Fire (CIF) for training in the company’s concrete-lined two-storey residential house, part of its fire services training facility.
Handler Kerry Burns said, ‘I try to vary the training scenes for the FI dogs as much as possible. Chiltern Fire’s house was a very useful training venue, with its authentic smell of smoke and the dark rooms and staircase. Where possible, I try to find training scenes which replicate scenes the dogs might encounter operationally.’
The training at CIF involved Kerry putting minute traces of ignitable liquids both inside and around the outside of the house, which the dogs then searched. Kerry added, ‘I came to you as some of our crews were already on site for PPV and BA training.’
CIF has worked closely with BFRS, a regular user of the training facility, to create conditions as close to ‘real life’ as possible. In addition to a 40ft demonstrator unit and attack boxes designed for Compartment Fire Behaviour Training, there is a two-storey Breathing Apparatus (BA) complex for more advanced training. The facility is situated close to the M40, a major plus for fire authorities within a radius of London and the Home Counties.
PDF: Good nose for a fire – Bucks Fire & Rescue dogs in training
rss feeds
