The Spokane Valley Fire Department is pleased and excited to announce a new addition to the fire investigative team. Mako, an eighteen month old Labrador Retriever from Michigan, along with Assistant Fire Marshal Rick Freier, recently completed a four week training course in the state of Maine where Mako has been certified as an accelerant detection canine.
In the fall of 2009, the department completed and submitted an application to State Farm for consideration. It was reviewed and accepted in December 2009.
The training was sponsored by State Farm Insurance, conducted by Maine Specialty Dogs, and certified by the State of Maine Criminal Justice Academy. State Farm Insurance funded all costs involved in this program which included: acquiring the dog, training fees at the Maine Specialty Dogs, room and board for Mako and Assistant Fire Marshal Freier, and transportation to and from Maine. State Farm Insurance started the program in 1992 and has sponsored 250 dogs in 43 states and Canada. Mako is their only dog in Eastern Washington and one of 75 State Farm dogs currently working in the country. A total of nine K-9 teams were trained in 2010.
Assistant Fire Marshal Freier, a certified fire investigator, and Mako will team up to investigate fires in our coverage area, and in certain instances assist other fire departments with their fire investigations. Mako is trained to "sniff" out accelerants - flammable liquids such as gasoline and kerosene that arsonists use to start fires. Evidence is then collected and used to assist prosecutors in the prosecution of arson cases. Mako will be working many fire scenes and not all of them will be caused by arson. It is important to expose the dog to many types of fires.
Local State Farm insurance agents and veterinary services from Keith Clark of Pet Vet Hospital will assist in the ongoing costs and care of Mako.
Mako and Assistant Fire Marshal Freier will also be working in the area of public education. They believe the best way to protect the citizens of the district is to prevent fires from happening. You could see them at local schools or at community events promoting fire safety.