DENVER — The newest member of the Denver Fire Department (DFD) is Peaches.
The new accelerant detecting K9 was presented with her badge on Friday by DFD Deputy Chief Kathleen Vredenburgh.
Peaches is the second accelerant detecting K9 in recent history for DFD. She replaces Cora, who served in the role from 2017-2021.
DFD said Peaches first attended an intensive training in October with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Canine Program. ATF trains both explosives and accelerant detection canines.
Peaches also completed a 16-week training program at ATF’s National Canine Academy in Virginia. Peaches and her handler Don trained as a team at the National Canine Academy and have been working together ever since.
Peaches
Peaches was taught to detect trace amounts of all types of low explosives, such as smokeless and black powders, as well as high explosives, such as dynamite and TNT.
DFD said the use of canines in the fire service dates back to the 18th Century, when horses were used to pull steam pumpers. Dalmatians were used to keep horses company in their stables and to calm them at fire scenes.
Today, dogs play an important role in the fire service to assist fire/arson investigators in locating evidence in the form of trace amounts of ignitable liquids.
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