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ATF &E National Canine Advanced Training and Certification Course
Dear members,
Having recently returned from the new ATF advanced explosive detection certification course I would like to take a moment to give you my impression of the course.
The course ran for 2 weeks from 10/5 thru 10/16 and was conducted at the ATF canine training headquarters in scenic Front Royal Virginia. The purpose of the course was to establish a national advanced operational certification in explosive detection. Anyone in the canine explosive detection field will agree this is long over due.
The course was overlapped by the explosive detection evaluator’s course also being offered by the ATF to explosive detection dog trainers from the four major associations (IPWDA, NAPWDA, NPCA, and USPCA). The handler course and the evaluator’s course were both well attended. Representatives from all four association came from as far away as CA, New Orleans, Arizona, NC, Florida, Minnesota, NJ and of course MA. The canine handlers course included members of the CIA, ATF, Pentagon Police, Federal Marshals, Arizona PD, Minnesota PD, and yours truly BCSO.
The combination of the ATF trainers and the trainers from the various associations gave the handlers a rare opportunity to work with an incredible wealth of canine training experience. All the handlers agreed it was clear that the group had come together with the soul purpose of making this new venture a success and it showed by the level of cooperation and professionalism that was displayed by all in attendance.
When the time came for the certification, the handlers were a mix of confidence as well as the always-present nerves that come with any certification. At the end of the two-day certification I am happy to announce all 10 teams were successful. The feeling of accomplishment was clear knowing we were the first class to complete this new advanced certification.
In conclusion, with the ATF picking up the cost of travel and lodging, this course is a must for any canine explosive detection team looking for a new challenge and a rare chance to work with a great mix of canine trainers from across the country. Plus the opportunity to come away with an advanced certification that anyone would be proud to add to his or her resume.
I would like to thank Special Agent Terry Bohan as well as ATF Chief Instructor Tim Dawson and his instructors for this opportunity.
Deputy Kevin Howell
Bristol County Sheriff's Office K9 UNIT
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The International Police Work Dog Association hosted its 1st annual Explosive Detection K-9 Seminar in Boston, Massachusetts this past April. What a great success!! All totaled 89 dogs teams attended. As part of the training, IPWDA invited the A.T.F.& E. Canine Branch to administer the National Odor Recognition Test (NORT) in conjunction with the IPWDA's Phase One -Odor Recognition and Phase Two-Operational Testing.
Most participants took the Nort with higher than a 90% pass rate. Congrats to all!! It is a testament to all your hard work and it shows. I n doing so, you impressed these ATF K-9 Trainers who travel the country administering the Nort. However, ATF did note that not all areas of the country have had equal success. Gaps in basic handling, allotted training time, quality of training aids, storage, safe handling and transportation were identified as lacking in some locations.
Consequently, ATF set out to construct a basic training program for E.D.D. K-9 Handlers to take on the road nationwide. One that focuses on training, not testing developed according to your peers. This would be a comprehensive program that covers the basics while affording K-9 teams practical hands on scenarios and range demonstrations.
To accomplish this, ATF sought input from outside their agency. Police departments and K-9 organizations from across the country including IPWDA were contacted asking K-9 handlers, K-9 Trainers and bomb technicians to assist in this endeavor. IPWDA's President Rick McQueary and E.D.D. Master Trainer/ Treasurer, Richard Sheehy, received ATF's request. In turn, I was selected to represent you at this four day seminar.
Eighteen police officers along with ATF trainers and administrators met in Front Royal, Virginia from August 7-11, 2006. This was not a week to debate different training methodologies or national standards but an opportunity to formulae and implement a course that would go into effect this fall.
The group was broken down into three groups each focusing on a different topic. They are: Explosive Safety, Deployment and Administration.
The Explosive portion discusses:
1. What elements your dog actually smells in the explosives.
2. Which ones you should be training on.
3. How volatile they are and what can set them off.
4. Safe transportation and storage
5. The latest trends of terrorists.
The Deployment addresses:
1. What to do when you arrive on scene
2. Evaluating the call
3. Taking charge of your search
4. How to search, patterns
5. Knowing your limitations
Administration dealt with:
1. Costs
2. Canine selection
3. Equipment needed
4. Explosives/ Magazine
5. Training time
With any luck, as the ATF puts the finishing touches on the logistics, this course should be available in November 2006. Special thanks to K-9 Chief Terry Bohan and his staff for having us and for their hospitality.
I am honored to be chosen to represent the International Police Work Dog Association. I look forward to IPWDA's continued success in the explosive field that you have made possible. As always it's great to meet so many dedicated professionals who selflessly give their time and experience to help us all. Keep up the good work, stay safe and I'll see you at the next IPWDA conference.
Larry Culbert
MBTA Transit Police
Boston, Ma.
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2006 I.P.W.D.A. Explosive Detector Dog Seminar, Boston MA
The 2006
International Police Work Dog Association Explosive Detector Dog Seminar has
come and gone. Hosted in Boston on April 2nd through the 6th by the
Massachusetts State Police, Massachusetts Transit Police, Department of
Homeland Security Federal Protective Service and the Rhode Island State Fire
Marshal’s Office. This event was the first of its kind to be held in the New
England area and was a huge success.
As a canine handler for the Department of Homeland Security, Federal
Protective Service, it was my first time being part of a planning committee
for such an event. Remembering back in the early planning stages my hopes
were to get 30 or 40 teams to attend, never imagining we would have 89
attendees. Only having a few months to plan, the seminar went off without
any major problems. I would like to give a special thanks to Master Trainer
Richard Sheehy (aka “the dog father”) for his time and dedication.
IPWDA Master Trainers that were present were Richard Sheehy, Tyler Clarke, Al
Gill, Richard Studley and Jay Staples. Trainers that assisted in the seminar
were Tracy Campbell, Larry Culbert and Ken Kelleher.
Teams came from across country to attend this workshop. K-9 teams traveled
from California, Texas, Florida, Canada, Bermuda and places in between. Not
only did teams experience new training venues, but also they got to
experience first hand the different weather conditions of New England
including snow.
I had the pleasure of not only meeting K-9 teams from other departments and
agencies, the seminar also brought together 10 K-9 teams from other Federal
Protective Service Regions across the country, including Puerto Rico. It
gave me a chance to meet and to put a face to a name. Our agency deploys
teams to areas of the country for National Special Security Events and
emergencies and having a chance to meet and work with other FPS teams was a
bonus.
Colors by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Transit Police
Department along with the Massachusetts State Police Pipe & Drums opened the
welcoming remarks ceremony. VIP’s from each of the hosting agencies were
present and were presented with certificates of appreciation from Richard
McQueary, President of the International Police Work Dog Association. I
would like to give a special thanks to members of the honor guard and pipes
& drums. The dinner banquet was held on Wednesday and was fully attended
since the hotel had to at the last minute add two tables to get everyone
seated. Congrats to all the raffle winners.
Training venues included buses, vehicles, large aircrafts, buildings,
baggage and a motor vehicle loaded with a large amount of dynamite. Teams
had the chance to work with IPWDA Master Trainers and Trainers alike. Over
60 teams received certification through the IPWDA. Also on hand were the ATF
National Canine Training and Operations Branch to administer the NORT and
peroxide-based explosives imprinting.
I also had the pleasure of working with MT Richard Sheehy at the Federal
building training venue for the first few days and assisted in running the
Phase 1 Odor Recognition test. Dick’s dedication to each handler was evident
with the line of teams waiting their chance to run the test. Dick has hands
on approach and it was interesting to watch. I also got a chance to work
with MT Tyler Clark on building and vehicle searches.
Lectures included Explosives Properties/Identification, recent IED’s
recovered by a K-9 team, TSA overview, and a lecture from a Kong Co.
behaviorist trainer.
Hopefully next year’s seminar will be a greater success with the lessons
learned from this year. Thanks to all who attended and see you next year!
Be Safe,
Antoinetta Steely
Federal Protective Service
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