Firefighters' newest K9 recruit reports for duty
The local fire department's newest recruit has a nose for flammable liquids like gasoline, and an affinity for hotdogs.
Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) introduced their new K9, Marshal, on Friday at the training academy on 157 Street. He and his handler were certified in July, and now Marshal helps investigators find where and how fires started, all for his favourite snacks.
Capt. Ian Smith says Marshal is an important member of the team. He brings him out to any scene where there's a chance of finding ignitable liquids, and his sensitive nose means he can find them much faster than humans can.
“We have electronic instruments that we can use as well, but it's been proven that dogs are more accurate, there are more pinpoints, they know exactly where to go,” he says. “We don't have the noses that they have. A dog 's (sense of smell) is more than 10,000 times stronger than a person's. They can find things pretty quick, but we would take hours.”
The 21-month-old Belgian Malinois is trained to find trace amounts of 12 different substances, including kerosene, diesel and gasoline. Marshal lets Smith know by wagging his tail or swinging his head when he gets to an area where he thinks he might find something, Smith says. Once he does, he points his nose and holds in place, then gets a reward.
The dog 's full registered name is Alberta K9's Fire Marshal. Alberta K9 co-owner Kelsey Boettcher, who raised and trained him, says it's just a happy coincidence that his litter had fire-themed names after their father, Arson.
A dog's (sense of smell) is more than 10,000 times stronger than a person's. They can find things pretty quick.
This type of breed loves to work, she says.
“It's his biggest joy in life,” Boettcher says. “We teach through scent-association — he's looking for a toy or food ... we pair the food and the odour together right from the beginning.”
Boettcher teaches the puppies to imprint on scent by training them to stick their noses inside a series of tubes and boxes, and when they smell the right odour they get a reward.
Working with a dog is a new challenge for Smith, and he has a whole new appreciation for their talents. The two have bonded and built a relationship of mutual trust.
“I think I'm pretty much his best friend these days,” he says. “I've had pet dogs before, but having a working canine is pretty special ... I get to take my dog to work every day.”
EFRS' K9s typically work five to seven years before retirement. Marshal is the department's fourth dog since 1996. The last K9, Grover, retired last year along with his handler.