Council and democracy

Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service launch a new team to combat arson

Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service has a new weapon to help identify cases of deliberate fire setting and the star of the team is already in the dog house!

‘Browza’ has been selected by the Service from a long line of the Labrador family working dogs that include those trained to detect narcotics, explosives and in this case, ignitable liquids such as petrol and paraffin.

Browza and his handler, Paula Pond, have undergone an intensive 6 week residential course where as a team they have learnt the skills and techniques to identify and locate a variety of ignitable liquids and help investigators track down criminals who cause millions of pounds worth of fire damage every year.

Their training course contained a series of periodic tests with final examinations in week six carried out by an independent Home Office licensed adjudicator to ensure that Paula and Browza have met the level of efficiency as established in the Fire Service College Certification procedure.

Browza and Paula will be able to carry out searches above and below ground, in vehicles and in ‘open areas’ and confined spaces. Paula has also been busy in the classroom learning about issues ranging from presenting forensic evidence to risk assessment as well as dealing with the media.

They have already been tested at real fire incidents in Manchester where they have confirmed the presence of accelerants at two fire scenes.

In an average week, arson statistics reveal:

• 3,500 deliberately started fires;
• 50 injuries;
• 2 deaths;
• a cost to society of at least £25 million