Country Club Hills: Fire dept.'s new canine will sniff out arson

November 16, 2006

Publication: Daily Southtown (Chicago, IL)

Section: C --- ALL

Edition: e-1

Page: 1

By: Rick Ducat Sun-Times News Group Staff writer

Dalmations have been the dogs of choice for fire departments, but the newest addition to the Country Club Hills force is a black Labrador retriever named Jake.

Fire Chief Gary Kasper said the department is getting the arson detection dog through a grant from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Akin to police canine units, arson-detection dogs can smell materials an arsonist might use to start a fire.

Jake and his handler, Country Club Hills firefighter/paramedic Brent Hullinger, will be included on a national response team. Kasper said they must be prepared to travel anywhere in the country if needed.

Mayor Dwight Welch said the city's former arson dog, a golden retriever named Blaze, was used throughout the region in making dozens of arson arrests.

Kasper said Blaze also aided in the conviction of suspects in an arson-related double homicide in Joliet before retiring.

Hullinger and Jake are in training and will return to the city in December 06.