HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-08-031 - Fire Services Canine Program~~~~ ^ . ~ ^
development &
Technical Services
Report To: Christina Weylie, Chair and Members of the Development and
Technical Services Committee
Date of Meeting: February 11, 2008
Submitted By: Tim Beckett, Fire Chief
Prepared By: Tim Beckett, Fire Chief
Wards}Involved: All Wards
Date of Report: January 23, 2008
Report No.: DTS- 08-031
Subject: FIRE DEPARTMENT CANINE PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATION:
"That Council receive this report for information purposes only."
BACKGROUND:
In March 2003 council approved a five year pilot project for a Canine Search Specialist in the
Fire Department. This program had been operated by fire fighter Rob Martin.
The program originally was based on assisting with the Heavy Urban Search and Rescue
(HUSAR) team in the province of Ontario; in which the dog and handler would assist in the
search of victims in disaster areas. The intent was to enter into an agreement for service with
the province which provided the City the ability to recover some of its costs for the program.
The program was sponsored by Toyota Canada in the form of a donation of a leased vehicle.
There were individual contributions from city staff including CMT which were directed to the
program. The costs for the care of the dogs were shared between fire fighter Martin and the
city.
The opportunity to work with the provincial HUSAR team in Toronto did not occur. The support
provincially for the canine portion or the HUSAR team did not materialize.
Through the last 5 years the original dog Zeus has been retired from service. Two additional
dogs, Max and Matrix had been introduced to the program, however Max suffered from hip
issues and he too was retired from service.
The dog program had been utilized by Waterloo Regional Police on several occasions to assist
in searching for missing persons.
Once the opportunity to participate in the provincial HUSAR program did not materialize, fire
fighter Martin focused the use of the dogs for accelerant detection at fire incidents. This was
used only a few times by our fire investigators.
REPORT:
The Fire Department has reviewed the value, cost, effectiveness and efficiency of the current
program. As the department was going to have to fund the total cost of the program, staff
weighed the benefits against the costs, The department did not have sufficient funds in its
operating program to sustain the program. Coupled with a limited amount of activity and
demand for the services of the dogs, the program was discontinued as of September 2007.
It was determined that the program, although valuable in some ways was not a very effective
use of resources for the department. The costs were anticipated to rise in 2008. The lease
agreement for the specialized vehicle expired in September, which would require the Fire
Department to fund the cost of the vehicle. Additional training was going to be required;
veterinary costs were rising and the costs to have personal participate in the program were
increasing.
The internal callouts for the service were limited and the external agencies that requested
assistance with the dogs did not want to pay for the use of the service and were therefore
turned down. The requirement of this service was limited at best.
This was a worthy pilot; one worth exploring as was done. The program was given sufficient
support and duration to test its value. Fire Fighter Martin must be commended for his dedication
and work on this project. He represented the City admirably working with external agencies.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: none.
COMMUNICATIONS: None
Tim Beckett
Fire Chief