Title
Resolution to accept the donation of an Accelerant Detection K-9 from State Farm Insurance for use by Hampton Division of Fire & Rescue to continue their Accelerant Detection K-9 Program
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
Accelerant Detection canines are an invaluable resource and are used to assist fire investigators in determining whether or not ignitable liquids were present at the time of a fire; be it a content fuel or a fuel introduced as an accelerant. There are many other proper uses for detection canines in our field ranging from detecting ignitable liquids on a suspect’s clothing or inside of a vehicle used to transport such liquids; helping the fire investigator clear the scene of ignitable liquids; clearing investigators tools before scene processing, among many other things.
Hampton Division of Fire & Rescue (HDFR) has had several Accelerant Detection K-9s over the years. Medic Firefighter Jesse Gomes is assigned to the Fire Prevention Branch of the Community Risk Reduction Section. He is an Assistant Fire Marshal Investigator and K-9 Handler for Taylor, a black lab and HDFR's Accelerant Detection K-9. Taylor will be retiring in April 2019 from active service and Medic Firefighter Gomes will be stepping down from his K-9 handler position.
State Farm places arson dogs with departments or agencies that respond to a minimum of 50 structure fires a year. State Farm also looks at applications where an arson dog will investigate in multiple cities/counties/fire districts, allowing you to combine information from surrounding jurisdictions to increase the fire load numbers. VA Beach's handler and K-9 have both recently retired so, currently, K-9 Taylor is the only accelerant detection K-9 for the Southside and the Peninsula. The new dog would step into Taylor's position.
Medic Firefighter and Assistant Fire Marshal Investigator Christopher Persons has expressed interest in becoming the next Accelerant Detection K-9 Handler. State Farm has generou...
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