Fire dogs take part in secret underground training

Fire Investigation Dogs from London Fire Brigade and surrounding Fire and Rescue Services recently met at a London tube station to practice their skills underground. Specially trained to identify a variety of ignitable substances, Fire Investigation Dogs assist with criminal investigations to help determine whether a fire has been started deliberately.

Thanks to permissions from Transport for London, Fire Dog Simba and his regional colleagues were able to conduct training in a disused part of an underground station.

Throughout the day, their handlers set up searches under chairs, in corners, in cabinets, behind poles and near the tracks and tunnels. 

Working on the Underground presented potential challenges for the dogs.

Fire Investigation Officer and Dog Handler Anton Keach said:

“Being underground changes the air flow that helps dogs like Simba to work out where a smell is coming from, particularly because moving trains through tunnels can transfer scents from other places. 

“Busy areas present another challenge, particularly to Fire Dogs who are more used to outdoor or residential settings. Escalators also provided an unfamiliar environment for the dogs, as they are steep, moving, and a different texture underfoot. 

“Additionally, there is a unique hazard posed by working near the tracks and platform. Practising working on the Underground helps to familiarise the dogs with the unfamiliar, keeping themselves, their handlers and the public safe.”

The dogs work slightly differently depending on their temperament and handler's preference.

Simba from the Brigade and other Fire Dogs are trained to put their noses next to the source of the ​smell. When the handler is satisfied a scent has been found, they praise the dog or use a clicker or tennis ball as a reward to tell the dog to move on to the next search area.

Universally, the dogs are always rewarded with positive reinforcement - a play with a tennis ball and some love from their handler when the job is finished.

Fire Dogs involved from the London Fire Brigade, Hertfordshire FRS, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight FRS, Nottinghamshire FRS and Devon and Somerset FRS are now better equipped to deal with an incident on the Underground or similar situation and will repeat their training regularly – mainly so they can keep chasing tennis balls.