Meet our Accelerant Detection Canine Teams

CANINE ASHLY
Handler:  Section Chief Debbie Mullins

Ashly is a Labrador and Border Collie mix that had been abandoned and was rescued by two Department members, Fire Marshal Debra Carlin and Retired Captain Jim Carlin from Station 6 when she was 6 months old in 2002.  After canine psychological profiling to determine if she would be adept as a service dog, Ashly was trained in-house and placed into service in January 2003 after obtaining certification through the Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office. 

She was a true community project as the Department has no funding for a canine unit.  The handler (Section Chief Debbie Mullins) donated her time and a home for Ash, Shadow Services and Mark 9 Search & Rescue donated training through consultant Jerry Seevers and Master Trainer Fleta Kirk.   Ash is a hybrid trained accelerant canine.  While most are food or toy reward, she is treat and praise reward.  She eats freely but only receives her favorite treats if she works for them.

Ash is certified by the Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office and the North American Police Work Dog Association.  The team is also a member of the United States Police Canine Association. She was also the first Accelerant Detection Canine to be accepted into the National Kids and Cops Campaign that distributes trading cards to children at monthly events. 

At her very first fire, Ash found a 2 square foot pour pattern in a 1500 square foot unit under one foot of debris, including the spilled contents of a refrigerator.  She also discovered the can of charcoal lighter fluid thrown in the trash and the families missing kitten hiding in a closet.

She has been featured in the Dallas Morning News, and on all the local television stations.  Ash has made guest appearances at many local events such as the Dallas Auto Show, The Dallas Sidekicks game, Subaru of Dallas grand opening, Interstate Battery Expo and Boo at the Zoo.

 

CANINE GUNNAR
Handler:  Captain Sam Stephenson

The heavy workload of fires in Dallas readily justified the need for an accelerant detection canine.  It became apparent that with one canine, you had to pick and choose the priority cases to not overtax the team (yes, just like paramedics, but they don’t make overtime).

Sam Stephenson had been transferred to Arson as a Lieutenant and after a year of working fire scenes and seeing the canines, he became interested in the program and volunteered to assist.  Sam had purchased an English-bred Chocolate Labrador and had begun his training for field trials.  He decided his time and Gunnar’s talents could be better served with Dallas Fire-Rescue.  Sam obtained a Training Grant from Walmart in 2004 and the team quickly passed all the requirements for certification. 

Gunnar has a natural ability and talent for this type of work and has impressed many of the Texas teams with how readily he learns and adapts.  Gunnar was started as a toy reward service canine.  He has such strong drives and willingness to please that he was also adapted to food reward which in some fire scenes is more workable.  Gunnar has since passed certification as both toy reward and food reward, which is a first in the North American Police Work Dog Association and the Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office.

He has been used to assist several other cities in the Metroplex area.  He has been used in Richardson, Quinlan, Royce City and Duncanville as a Mutual Aid response to other cities.

Canines and the Fire Service

HISTORY OF THE FIRE SERVICE CANINE

The use of canines in the fire service dates back to the eighteenth century when horses were used to pull steam pumpers.  Dalmatians were used to keep the horses company in their stables and to keep them calm at fire scenes until their role diminished into that of a mascot.  Today, man’s best friend is playing an important role in the fire service: to assist fire investigators in locating evidence of ignitable liquids.

In 1980, a feasibility study was conducted to test a canines’ ability to locate and give a specific response to the odor of ignitable liquids.  The study progressed into a project program, and in 1986, the world’s first Accelerant Detection Canine, a black Labrador Retriever named Mattie, was trained through the combined efforts of the Guide Dog Foundation, Connecticut State Police and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).  The success of the program and the capability of the canine far exceeded any expectations.  The ATF immediately began training Accelerant Detection Canines (ADC) and currently has 49 teams strategically located throughout the United States.  ADC’s are also recognized and certified by the National Police Work Dog Associations and the Texas State Fire Marshal, who has four certified teams.  

DALLAS FIRE-RESCUE

Typically, Dallas Fire-Rescue responds to about 2,000 structure fires each year.  Several hundred of these are determined to be arson fires and damage estimates are over $20 million.  Over 1,000 arson vehicle fires are investigated and each year, an average of 15 people lose their lives as a result of fire.  The Department is committed to reducing the loss of lives and property from fire through aggressive investigation and criminal prosecution.  This goal can be enhanced with the implementation of the Accelerant Detection Canine to address today’s arson threat to the general public and to assist the fire investigator in the collection of field samples for lab analysis. 

ACCELERANT DETECTION CANINES

Canines can pinpoint traces that escape electronic detection.  Mechanical hydrocarbon detectors are sensitive to gasoline components in parts per million (ppm).  The smallest amount detectable by dogs is .01 micro liters, or 1,000th of a drop, of 50% evaporated gasoline, 100% of the time.  Also, a canine can differentiate between products of combustions and similar chemical gases found at fire scenes from true accelerants, which mechanical detectors cannot.

Canines are more adaptable and more accurate than mechanical equipment.  This accuracy can help pinpoint the location of accelerants in a shorter time, thereby reducing the field time of investigators searching and processing a fire scene.  The use of canines can reduce the number of samples that need to be collected and tested.  It is also documented that samples submitted from canine teams for laboratory analysis result in a positive test for ignitable liquids over 90% of the time, compared to 30% for the investigators alone.

Canine Program Sponsorship

The Arson Canine Unit is not a funded City program.  It exists due to the support and sponsorships of our community.  We would like to express our gratitude to all of those who have assisted, past and present, so that we can provide this quality service to our citizens. 

Donations can be sent to:

Friends of the Dallas Fire Department, Inc.
Attention Ray Cherry, President
Dallas Security Systems
P. O. Box 550939
Dallas, Texas  75355-0939.

CURRENT SPONSORS

 

  • Cedar Hill Veterinarian Clinic and Dr. Timm England, DVM donates medical services for the canines

  • City Credit Union donates $1500 each year to support program costs

  • La Quinta Austin North and Manager Linda Yates donated $500

  • Mark Matlock of United Central Control donated $50 for the canines

  • North Texas Fire Alarm Association donated $400 for canine trading cards

  • Novartis (Chris Morris) donates monthly preventatives and medicines for the canines

  • Purina Mills and Glenda Wilson for dog food

  • Sam’s Club Buckner and Terri Hennessey donates $1,000 each year for the continued upkeep of the canine program.

  • Sam’s Club Park Lane (Frank Pike and Judy Kelly) donate each year for program maintenance. 

  • Subaru of Dallas and President David Thomas donated the use of a brand new Forester for 2003 and 2004 for the Canine Unit until grants were obtained for purchasing.  He continues to donate the use of a Forester for the Fire Marshal in recognition of the Canine Unit.

  • Walmart Samuell donates $1,000 for program costs

 

GRANTS AND DONATIONS

  •  Hoblitzelle Foundation provided $30,000 to obtain a canine vehicle and cover expenses.   

  •  Hoglund Foundation donated $10,000 to assist with the purchase of the vehicle and expenses.

  •  Lone Star Endowment Fund of the Communities Foundation of Texas provided a $5,332 grant to cover the 2002 year expenses, start up costs, equipment, training and certifications to get the program up and running. 

  •  PETCO Foundation and Director Paul Jolly granted Ashly a $1,000 K9 shopping spree upon implementation of the program through Store Manager Mark Bruscher.  The second year they gave $500 for general support. 

  •  Sam’s Club McCree for a $1,500 grant to cover the K9 Arson Conference. 

  •  Walmart - Rockwall provided $1,000 to train and certify our second Canine, Gunnar.

  • James M. Moroney, Jr., Trustee of the Betty Moroney Norsworthy

  • Charitable Trust  donated $1,000 to the program.

Thanks for your Support:

  • Avid Identification System for the K9 Pet track

  • Martin Birnbach after featuring Ashly on his radio station kicked off his fund raising campaign with a $100 donation.

  • The Dunnett Family donated $100 for the heat alarm in recognition of Subaru of Dallas’ support.

  • Hills Pet Nutrition for dog food

  • NACC Alarm Company for the kennel

  • North Texas Alarm Association for the K9 Trading Cards

  • Rio Vista Products for grooming supplies

  • Precision Pet Products and Woodpeckers for the Log Cabin Dog House. 

  • Dick Terrell of Cirro Energy gave a private donation of $100

 

TEXAS ARSON K9 CONFERENCE

Held eEach fall in Dallas, Texas

Dallas Fire-Rescue hosts an annual conference were teams from all over the United States join together in Dallas for one week of continuing education and recertification tests.  Classroom lectures are offered on K9 field first aid and CPR, and legal aspects such as homicide investigations and courtroom testimony.  Teams obtain credit hours for the Texas Commission on Fire Protection and the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education.  Scent work is practiced from structures and vehicles to fields and clothing and association certifications are offered.  Several fun activities challenge the dogs and handlers with friendly competitions such as “closest to source” and “the hardest find”.  The Conference is supported by the North American Police Work Dog Association and the Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office.

CONFERENCE SPONSORS

  • American Aluminum Accessories         Jack Swain

  • Cedar Hill Veterinarian Clinic                  Dr. Timm England, DVM

  • Criminalistics, Inc. 

  • Fairfield Inn / Marriot                                  John McClaren, Manager

  • Hills Pet Nutrition                                       Joyce Waida

  • Kanine II

  •             Nestle Purina PetCare                              Heather Smith, Territory Manager  

  • PetCo                                                            Sean Droessler, Regional Marketing Coordinator

  • Rio Vista Products                                     James Towle

  • S&M NuTec                                                  James Garcia

  • Sam’s Club Park Lane                              Judy Kelly, Benefits Coordinator

  • Southwest Airlines

  • Trophies, Inc.

  • 911 / 311:       

Restaurant Sponsors

  • Bennigan’s                                                  Mike Sidwar, Manager        

  • Black Eyed Pea                                          Shelly Creager, General Manager

  • Johnny Carino’s                                         Byron Godwin, General Manager   

  • Don Pablo’s                                                 Chris Downes, Manager

  • Hines Nut Company

  • Olive Garden                                                Douglas Sullivan, General Manager                      

  • On the Border                                             Mike Carrigan, Managing Partner                         

  • Pasado’s

  • Pizza Hut

  • Razoo’s

  • Red Lobster                                                 Randy Gattenby, Service Manager

  • Rockfish Seafood Grill                              Mike Hutchinson, General Manager

  • Smokey Bones                                           Wayne Curtis, Manager

  • Spaghetti Warehouse                               Chris Notley, Service Manager

  • Steak and Ale                                              Chuck Clites, Manager

  • TGIFriday’s                                                  Israel Aquino, Manager

  • Tony Roma’s                                               Russell Jones, General Manager

  
 
 

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