South Wales Fire and Rescue service are the only fire and rescue service in Wales to operate and use fire investigation dog, and only one of 3 other fire and rescue service in the country to operate 2 fully licensed fire investigation dogs.

Sam
Sam is a 7 year old yellow Labrador who was trained by Clive Gregory CPG associates back in 2003. Sam and I both graduated from Karenswood international with a Merit after an intensive 6 week training course. Sam is an excellent natural devoted search dog, Sam was certificated at the international fire service college Morton on Marsh just 3 weeks after finishing his initial course. Sam has been an asset to South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and also has played a vital part in assisting Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service with a number of their fire investigations. In My 2004 Sam was a vital part into the investigation of the death of Firefighter Richard Jenkins, in which Sam’s indications was an important part into the prosecution of 3 men for the manslaughter of Firefighter Richard Jenkins.

Sammy
Sammy is a liver and white English Springer spaniel 3 years old who was jointly trained by my self and Mr M Townley managing director of Blaenystruth German Shepard dogs. Sammy successfully completed his training in early 2005 with ease and confidence and very quickly was operational along side Sam.

Hunter
Hunter is a 15 month old Springador (Lab x Spaniel). I purchased Hunter back in 2005, as a replacement for Sam when he retires sometime in 2007. Hunter was 8 weeks old when I acquired him and at this young age showed great potential to become a search dog. I began Hunter training at a very young age, he attended a number of fires with me where he was introduced to the fire scene and was encourage to explore. This type of early method of socialising ensured that Hunter was not put off or affected by the strange smells and darkness of a fire scene. At 5 months old Hunter was able to free search an area the size of a football field and located his hidden tennis ball so from a very young age he was showing great promise. Hunter continues to develop and go from strength to strength. It is predicted that Hunter will be operationally ready by the end of 2006.

Matt Jones
I have always been influenced by working dogs, in 2002 I read an article about Europe’s first fire investigation dog Star and his handler Clive Gregory. This inspired me to construct a report to see if their was a need for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service to acquire a fire investigation dog. Following 6 months of research it was agreed that SWFRS would purchase a Fire investigation dog. In 2004 I qualified from the Animal Care College as a qualified K9 psychology. I am also one of the specialist trainers for BGSD. In 2005 after an 8 week course with South Wales Police I qualified to ACPO level as an Explosive Dog Handler. I have also lecture on a number on initial fire investigation courses at the fire service college Morton on Marsh and to lecture and demonstrated fire investigation dogs to the Tokyo fire service. In 2005 I rewrote the current structure for Fire service college examination process which was implemented by the fire service college in 1997 for the examination and certification of all fire investigation dogs in the country. I am also an advisor for fire investigation dogs to the national fire investigation committee of United Kingdom. I have also been involved in the training of a number of close protection dogs and search dogs for around the world.