MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930
mebrady@co.pg.md.us TWITTER: @PGFDPIO
New
Explosives Detection Canine Team Graduates
The
Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department, Office of the Fire Marshal has
added a new member to their roster. K-9 Tango and her partner, Captain Bino J.
Harris, recently completed a 16 week explosive detection training program
offered by the Central Intelligence Agency. K-9 Tango, a 21 month old Labrador
retriever, has been conditioned to detect explosives, explosives residue, and
post-blast evidence.
In
Prince George’s County, the Bomb Squad is a function of the Fire/ EMS
Department and housed within the Office of the Fire Marshal. Due to recent
retirements, the Office of the Fire Marshal had a need for an explosives
detecting canine capable of detecting explosives and firearms threats in an
effort to support its mission.
K-9
Tango was hand selected by CIA trainers from a nonprofit organization called
Puppies Behind Bars. This program pairs inmates with puppies to teach the dogs
basic commands.
She was then taught explosives odor recognition through a food
and praise reward system. K-9 Tango is trained to detect chemical
compounds used in an estimated 19,000 explosives formulas.
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