Odisha has made history as the first state in India to establish a dedicated K9 squad within its Fire Services department, consisting of 10 trained dogs.
These sniffer dogs will play a crucial role in various rescue missions, boosting the effectiveness of Fire Services personnel.
The K9 squad features a mix of 10 Labrador and Belgian Malinois breeds sourced from the state police. These dogs have undergone specialized training to assist in rescue operations, particularly in locating individuals trapped under debris after disasters such as earthquakes and landslides. Additionally, their contributions will lead to rank advancements, promotions, and medals for them, according to reports.
Satyapir Behera, the Fire Officer at the Principal Training Centre in Naraj, stated, “The Bahanaga train tragedy highlighted the significance of dog squads during rescue efforts. With this in mind, we decided to incorporate a K9 unit into the Fire Services.”
“Following the Odisha government’s approval, we procured puppies from Dora in Rajasthan. We received 10 dogs – three Belgian Malinois and seven Labradors. They have received the necessary training and will be part of rescue operations during earthquakes and other natural disasters,” Behera added.
In October, the Fire Services Department also enhanced its resources by acquiring 22 advanced robots known as Fire-Fighting Robotic Monitors, which are capable of operating in extreme heat to control fires.