New four-legged firefighter for the state

shasta

AUGUSTA -- The Maine State Fire Marshal's Office will introduce Shasta, the department's newest firefighter, and provide a demonstration  at 9 a.m. today at the Department of Public Safety in Augusta, 45 Commerce Drive.

Shasta and her human partner, Senior Investigator Dan Young, have finished their training and are ready  to detect "accelerants" or anything that an arsonist may use to start a fire.

Shasta's training as a arson dog was funded by State Farm Insurance. She is specially trained to sniff out fire starters, helping firefighters determine whether a fire was set intentionally or not.

 

 

Copyright 2009 Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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If you want to be picky she

If you want to be picky she is a Fire Investigator. But I bet she could do search and rescue in a burning building. Which would technically make her a Firefighter.
Ether way she is a vital asset to our state!

Is she a "Fire Fighter" or

Is she a "Fire Fighter" or "Fire Investigator" because... um, there is a difference... Although seeing her with a hose putting out a fire would be rather entertaining.

Welcome Shasta! Hope you

Welcome Shasta! Hope you enjoy your career!