The Calgary Fire Department is welcoming a new team member with four legs and a tail.
Two-year-old American Field Labrador, Titus, is the department’s fifth fire investigations dog since 1991.
He can find as little as 0.2 microlitres of an ignitable liquid following a fire, helping investigators determine cause, enhance public safety, and assist in determining potential arson.
“Working canines like Titus serve a unique role in the fire service as they significantly improve the accuracy and speed of fire investigations,” said Deputy Chief Pete Steenaerts. “What may take specialized tools hours to detect, Titus can identify within minutes.”
The pup serves alongside his handler, Canine Investigator Brad Brookes, who’s been with the CFD for 18 years.
Titus has been to 33 fire investigations since March, including house, car, warehouse, storage facilities and outside deck and patio blazes.
Both the Titus and Brookes have training from the Canine Accelerant Detection Association (CADA) and are re-certified every year to maintain high standards for fire investigations.
“This is such an amazing program and an incredible tool for investigations,” said Brookes. “Titus helps us gather vital information and data to solve fire investigations—and the best part is getting to work with an animal every day. I love animals, and it’s truly special to represent the department with a partner like Titus.”
Titus was born in Wisconsin, according to the CFD, and started training at eight weeks old.
He is trained through a food reward system to find hydrocarbons and ignitable liquids; compounds that leave a residue after a fire has been extinguished. Titus can identify ethanol, acetone, paint thinner, gasoline, diesel, camp fuel, kerosene, and more.
Titus wears his badge and vest while on duty. To make sure he is safe, Brookes will clear any debris that could potentially hurt him, and makes sure that air quality levels are safe.
When he find an ignitable liquid, he will lay on his stomach and point at the area with his nose. Brookes will then collect an area of 12 inches around and send the sample to a lab.
After each scene, Titus gets a bath and gets regular vet check-ups.
“I can’t see or smell ignitable liquids, so I have to trust Titus completely,” said Brookes. “He knows what he’s doing, I just help guide him there. There’s a deep trust between us. He searches, and I interpret the patterns he’s showing me, almost like painting a picture of what happened.”
Brookes and Titus will also go to school demonstrations, library visits, and other public events where they can help promote fire safety and education.
When off duty, Titus lives with Investigator Brookes and his family where he gets to be a regular dog who loves to eat, sleep, and play.
The pair will be reading at the Calgary Public Library on Nov. 27 at 11 a.m. at the gallery in the Central Library.