Surrey Fire and Rescue Service was the second British fire authority to invest in a Hydrocarbon Detector Dog Team (as they were then called) in the late 1990’s, following a distinguished operational career ‘Katie’ was retired from service in early 2003.

During her working life in ‘harness’ Katie was a key resource identifying the use of liquid accelerants at many high profile incidents, not only in the county of Surrey but also throughout London and Southern England.

The effect a Fire Investigation Search Dog Team (note the new title) has on reducing incidents of arson within a Fire Service’s area of operations are well documented and accepted, the increased perception of detection tends to deter less resolute arsonists, thereby reducing the incidence of deliberate fire setting.

SF&RS senior management are fully conversant of the operational benefits available to the Service by the provision of this specialised investigation branch, and that considerable public relations benefits are to be derived by utilising a Service dog as a marketing tool at publicity and community safety events etc., (a dog having a particularly strong affinity to younger members of society), thus permission to train a new dog was granted.

This was also seen as an opportunity to further strengthen the existing partnership bonds SF&RS have with Surrey Police, our newest canine recruit being selected and trained by Surrey Police dog section.

'Max' and his handler Steve Craig were trained together and passed stringent certification examinations on 27th January 2005 immediately becoming fully operational, since then the pair have attended numerous incidents, where the invaluable evidence they have identified has assisted in the conviction of offenders.

Additional valuable partnerships have also been established in the creation of this project, ADT Fire and Security Ltd., are kindly providing a Vauxhall Vivaro for the team’s transport, whilst Purina Pro-Plan are sponsoring Max’s food for his natural life.

"Our experience shows that nationally, arson costs millions of pounds each year, robs people of their possessions, their cars, their homes, their jobs and sometimes ultimately their lives.

I am delighted that through joint partnership working with Surrey Police, ADT Fire & Security and Purina Pro Plan, we are able to continue with a valuable weapon against arson in the form of 'Max' our Fire Investigation Search Dog.

It is through partnerships such as these, that we are able to make a real contribution to reducing the burden on taxpayers that arson presents, and at the same time helping to make Surrey a safer place, in which to live and do business."

Steve Myers
Chief Fire Officer – Surrey Fire and Rescue Service