Colorado: State Fire Agency Adds K9s Trained in Fire Detection

ROTC is a yellow lab certified as an ignitable liquid detection canine through Maine State Police.IMAGE: Colorado Division of Fire PreventionThe Colorado Division of Fire Prevention has added handler Brian Eberle and his three K9s to its Fire Investigations Branch, according to a department press release.

Collectively, the canines are specialized in ignitable liquid detection and tracking/trailing and decomposing human scent detection, the report said.

“It’s all hands - and paws - on deck to better protect Coloradans and our communities this fire season and we are excited to welcome ROTC, Hiccup, Moose and their handler Brian, to the team. We know that their experience will help save lives, support critical investigations, and strengthen Colorado’s wildfire response capacity,” Gov. Jared Polis is quoted in the release.

Eberle comes to the department after spending 21 years in fire service, with his last assignment overseeing the Fire Investigation Unit and working as a K9 Handler. He has trained and worked K9s since 2007 and is the co-founder for Bloodhound Man-Trackers, according to the report.

Eberle and his dogs have assisted dozens of law enforcement agencies on arson, homicide, and missing person cases. He is a member of NecroSearch International as a Decomposing Human Scent K9 Handler, a K9 resource for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and was K9 Search Specialist for FEMA's Colorado Task Force 1 Search and Rescue Team. Eberle has testified multiple times as an expert witness in K9 detection.

“ROTC, Hiccup, Moose, and of course Brian represent a tremendous addition to our fire investigations team. We are grateful for the opportunity to offer the skills they possess to our Colorado citizens. Having investigator Eberle and his three K-9s join us in our mission to assist local jurisdictions with determining the cause of the fires that occur across our State will undoubtedly benefit countless communities,” said Chief Chris Brunette of the Fire and Life Safety Section at the Division of Fire Prevention and Control in the report.

According to the press release, the new dogs include:

ROTC, a 7-year-old male yellow lab certified as an ignitable liquid detection canine through Maine State Police, under the guidance of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. ROTC has been in service and working since 2020. ROTC has assisted dozens of agencies including the ATF, CBI, and FBI on numerous fires.

Hiccup is a 3 year old Bloodhound that has been trained in tracking/trailing and decomposing human scent detection.IMAGE: Colorado Division of Fire PreventionHiccup, a 3-year-old bloodhound that has been trained in tracking/trailing and decomposing human scent detection. Hiccup has been in service and working as a proven bloodhound since 2022. Hiccup volunteers his time as a K9 resource with The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and NecroSearch International.

Moose is a 3-year-old German Shepherd that has been trained in decomposing human scent detection.IMAGE: Colorado Division of Fire PreventionAnd Moose, a 3-year-old German Shepherd, that has been trained in decomposing human scent detection. Moose has been in service and working since 2022. Moose also volunteers his time as a K9 resource with The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and NecroSearch International.