Bristol firefighters have recruited a pair of dogs to join the service and help search for casualties during major incidents.

Buddy, a two-year-old springer cross, and Sally, a two-year-old labrador, are currently undergoing their training with Avon Fire and Rescue Service.

Based at Hicks Gate fire station in Keynsham, the pooches are training to be ‘air scent’ dogs - meaning they are able to locate live casualties in different environments, from open areas and woodland to collapsed structures.

In addition to their training, the dogs are kitted out with specialist equipment allowing them to operate in potentially hazardous areas - including boots to protect their paws from sharp debris.

Urban search and rescue

Firefighter Rachel King, who is responsible for Sally’s training, explained: “The role of a modern firefighter has changed and Avon Fire and Rescue Service deals with an increasing number of varying incidents, one of which is urban search and rescue.

“To assist with this, the service currently has two USAR dogs in training at Hicks Gate fire station.

Springer-cross Buddy and labrador Sally have joined Avon Fire and Rescue Service
Springer-cross Buddy and labrador Sally have joined Avon Fire and Rescue Service

“Buddy, a two-year-old springer cross, is looked after and trained by firefighter Martin Tully on blue watch. He came from a rescue centre and was selected because he was too lively for his previous owners.

“Sally, a two-year-old labrador, is looked after and trained by myself on green watch. She joined the service from a gamekeeper in Wales.

“Both dogs live with their handlers and come to work when they are on duty. Their training is done alongside the normal duties of their handlers as full-time operational firefighters and they are very much part of the watch.”

The dogs are trained using toy rewards - if a dog successfully finds a casualty, they are rewarded with the toy and a game of tug.

Throughout their training, Buddy and Sally have been introduced to people of all ages, backgrounds and ethnicity so that they learn to trace and locate all human scent.

Once the dogs find a casualty, they are taught to stay with them and bark to indicate to a handler that they have found a source of scent.

Both dogs have been in training for about a year and will be operational if they successfully pass their grading in March next year.