Fire Department Dogs
Did you know that fire departments and dogs have been working together for centuries? Historically, Dalmatians were known for their ability to clear the way for the horse-drawn fire wagons. In today’s world, dogs play a vital role in fire departments across the country! This article will list the types of dogs you may see in and around the fire department.
Search and Rescue Dogs – Search and rescue dogs search for missing or lost people in urban, wilderness, and disaster environments. To no surprise, fire departments employ search and rescue dogs to help them quickly find and recover missing people. Some of the scene’s most common search and rescue dogs include border collies, German shepherds, and Labradors.
Arson Dogs – Arson dogs sniff out accelerants left behind at fire scenes. These types of dogs usually work closely with investigation handlers. The dogs are taught to sift through the remains of suspicious fires, smelling for trace amounts of common fire-starting substances like gasoline or lighter fluid. Some of the most common arson dogs include Labrador retrievers and German shorthaired pointers.
Tracking Dogs – Tracking dogs follow scent trails left on the ground by wandering people. One of the most interesting things about tracking dogs is that they excel at recovering people on foot, whether or not they want to be found! Bloodhounds are the most well-known tracking dogs, but German shepherds, labradors, and other working dog breeds often perform this job well.
Crisis Response Dogs – Do not forget about therapy dogs. Crisis response dogs are unique dogs that work during disasters to help first responders and survivors decompress and recover. Some fire departments keep them on staff, while others have volunteer teams they partner with to provide crisis relief services.
As you can see, a wide variety of dogs are employed by fire departments. To no surprise, dogs can save lives. Your neighborhood fire department may employ one of the most intelligent working dogs in the world!
