Four-legged firefighter Reggie now on the scent of arsonists

MEET Reggie — the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service’s latest recruit.

The four-year-old Cocker Spaniel has undertaken specialist training to identify and sniff out a variety of ignitable substances and accelerants which can help firefighters in determining whether a blaze was started deliberately.

He is being piloted to assist officers during complex investigations with his sense of smell.

Based in Enniskillen with owner and handler, station commander Tim Richmond, Reggie will be available to assist investigations across the province.

Group commander Geoff Somerville said fire dogs had been proven to bring many benefits, including “speed, reliability and efficiency” when investigating the cause of blazes.

He said: “Their keen sense of smell — which is more accurate than technology designed to detect ignitable substances — helps fire investigation teams provide a higher level of accuracy.

“The speed at which they can sniff out ignitable substances has reduced the time required to investigate the scene of a fire.”

So what kind of scenes will Reggie be attending?

“The types of incidents that Reggie may be deployed to include fatal fires, fires where there is a likelihood of a fatality occurring and where it is suspected that an accelerant may have been used,” Mr Somerville explained.

“He may also be deployed to other incidents, including those where the cause appears to be deliberate but cannot be easily established.

“Fire investigation dogs are used in a number of other UK Fire and Rescue Services and we’ve been tracking the benefits that they bring.

“Reggie is a great new asset for NIFRS and will be mobilised across Northern Ireland when a request is received by the lead fire investigation officer or our colleagues in the PSNI.”

Reggie with owner and handler, station

commander Tim Richmond (right), and group commander Geoff Somerville

Mr Richmond said: “I’ve had Reggie since he was a pup and knew that he would make a great fire investigation dog.

“He has had intensive training by one of the leading fire dog trainers in the UK and is certified by the Fire Service College in England. For Reggie, it’s all about sniffing out accelerants to achieve his reward — a tennis ball.”

The pilot will run until July 7.

❝ For Reggie, it’s all about sniffing out accelerants to achieve his reward — a tennis ball