Colorado: State Fire Agency Adding 3 New K-9s (and Handler) to Fire Investigations Team

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Lakewood, CO – The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention is pleased to announce the addition of Brian Eberle and his three K9's to our Fire Investigations Branch. Collectively, the canines are specialized in ignitable liquid detection and tracking/trailing and decomposing human scent detection.

"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," said Governor Jared Polis.

Brian comes to us after a 21 year career in the fire service, with his last assignment overseeing the Fire Investigation Unit and working as a K9 Handler. He has been training and working K9s since 2007 and is the co-founder for Bloodhound Man-Trackers. Brian and his dogs have assisted dozens of law enforcement agencies on arson, homicide, and missing person cases. Brian 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. Brian has testified multiple times as an expert witness in K9 detection.

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"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.

ROTC

K9 ROTC (pronounced "Rotsy") - ROTC is 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

K9 Hiccup - Hiccup is 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.

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Moose

K9 Moose - Moose is 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.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), municipal fire departments in the US respond to an estimated annual average of 52,260 intentional fires each year, with associated annual losses of 400 civilian deaths, 950 civilian injuries, and $815 million in direct property damage. The actual number of arson fires and amount of property damage is likely much higher as arson is an underreported crime. Arson dogs played a key role in helping to determine the cause of many of these fires.

If you are an agency interested in dispatching the investigation team or would like a demonstration of how our canines work please contact us at: cdps_dfpc_invadmin@state.co.us.

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