Ember blazes a trail
11:07am Friday 18th July 2008
A FOUR-legged, crime-busting canine, trained to sniff out arsonists, has become the latest recruit to join the fire service.
Ember, a 20-month-old golden labrador, is the newest member of Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue's fire investigation dog team.
The lively recruit started going out on jobs with handler Kerry Burns, after completing her training at the International Fire College in Preston, Lancashire.
Kerry, from Great Missenden, has been working at the scene of fires with the service's other four legged investigator Barney, since November 2006.
But the black and white collie cross is getting ready to hang up his boots, so Ember has been brought in to take over.
Kerry said: ''She absolutely loves it. She thinks it's the best game ever.''
Ember has been trained to sniff out anything an arsonist might use to start a blaze, such as petrol or lighter fluid, and can even help police track down fire-starters with her crime-fighting nose.
If an arsonist has hidden any evidence, such as a petrol can, Ember can seek it out so police can fingerprint it for DNA.
But going out on a job can be dangerous and so, before going into a fire scene, Ember has to put on protective boots to cover her feet, use a reflective harness, and employ a line.
Kerry said: "The boots protect her paws from being cut by debris while the harness tells her that she is working, helps me keep track of her, and allows me to attach a search line to make sure she keeps away from dangerous areas.''
Ember's crime-fighting capabilities are not just limited to Bucks, as she will also work in Berkshire and Oxfordshire when needed.
She and Kerry, who travel in a specially adapted van, are sponsored by Aquadoggies, a hydrotherapy pool for dogs based in Reading, and Tesco.
The supermarket giant is paying for the lease and fuel for their van, and became a sponsor after Barney helped at the scene of a fire at one of its stores in Hemel Hempstead.
To see a video of Ember in action click on the link above.