Hall County Fire Rescue recently welcomed its newest member.
Accelerant Detection Canine, Apollo, a yellow Labrador retriever, has been training with the department for the last several months to become the agency’s first participant in its new Arson Dog Program.
The new program will allow the canines to assist the Hall County Fire Marshal’s Office in fire investigations with faster scene processing and detecting samples more accurately. It also aims to promote an increased awareness of the crime of arson and fire prevention within the community, according to the department.
Apollo’s training included investigating over 100 fires, making him certified as a Canine Accelerant Detection Association accelerant detector and eligible to take on the full-time role as an investigator.
“Having an accelerant detection canine can greatly assist fire investigators in locating the origin of the fires that were ignited using accelerants such a gasoline,” Fire Marshal Chief Michael Vieira, said in a release. “This will aid in evidence collection, and in determining if arson was the cause of the fire.”
Investigator/Inspector Lt. Cacey Henderson, volunteered to be Apollo’s primary handler for the canine’s duration with Hall County. Lt. Henderson was also certified as a handler through CADA, and received training to best apply Apollo’s skillset to a fire scene.
Apollo was provided by Blast Wingshooting Kennels, and the Hall County Animal Services agreed to cover any of Apollo’s future veterinarian needs. Overall costs for Apollo,
necessary trainings and certifications were funded through the Friends of Hall
County Fire Fund established at the North Georgia Community Foundation.
