State Fire Marshal: Arson Detecting Canines Valuable Tool In Fighting Arson
NASHVILLE – Every year, the U.S. Fire Administration and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office dedicate the first full week of May to raising awareness about arson and its impact on our communities. This year, Arson Awareness Week is May 3-9 and focuses on the role that accelerant detection canines (ADC) play in sniffing out arson.
“Arson destroys more than buildings. It can devastate a community through the decline of the neighborhood with increased insurance premiums, loss of business revenue and a decrease in property values,” said Tennessee Commerce & Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak. “The Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office is proud to have accelerant detection canines working to make Tennessee safer by bringing down arsonists.”
“An accelerant detection canine saves time and money,” said Bomb and Arson Section Director Glenn “Andy” Anderson. “Their sense of smell is 100,000 times more acute than a human being’s sense of smell. An ADC can cover an average fire scene in 30 minutes. It can take humans days to do what a dog does in minutes.”
Combating arson is a key priority for fire departments and law enforcement agencies across Tennessee. In 2013, the Tennessee Fire Incident Reporting System reported that arson was responsible for $7.7 million in damage, seven deaths and 18 injuries, including three firefighter injuries.
Residents can support the efforts of state and local officials by taking the following steps to help protect their homes against arson:
• Illuminate exterior and entrances. Install lights covering all sides of the home. Motion-activated lighting should be placed near the entrances. Interior lights on timers give the illusion that a residence is occupied.
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