The City of Charlottesville Fire Department has been given a rare tool in combating the crime of arson; an ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) accelerant detection canine named Quaker. He is now fully operational for all of Central Virginia (and beyond).
How
Quaker came to be?
Quaker, his training, and the training of the handler (City Fire Marshal, W.A.
Hogsten) were fully funded by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and
Explosives (ATF). The care and continued training of Quaker is the
responsibility of the greater Charlottesville community.
What is an "arson dog"?
Quaker is able to fulfill a vital role in ensuring public
safety during criminal investigations. He is a remarkable dog and is one of 68
canines in the nation that is trained and certified by ATF capable of detecting
liquid accelerants in fire scenes. His capability to pinpoint the area in which
the
arsonist
used ignitable liquids to start the fire will guide fire investigators where to
take debris samples to send to the crime lab.
The Crime of Arson!
The crime of arson affects everyone in the community, whether you are the victim of arson directly or the consumers in the area that have to pay for the rising costs of insurance rates to cover losses, or pay the increased prices as a result of lost revenue while rebuilding and restocking inventory.
Donate to the "Quaker" Fund