Nottinghamshire Fire Investigation Dog Unit Hits First Birthday!
Tuesday, November 7, 2023, marks a big day for Nottinghamshire’s Fire Investigation Dog Unit. This elite team of two remarkable canine officers and their handlers is celebrating their first anniversary — and what a year they’ve had! Their sniffing skills and sharp instincts have transformed fire investigations across the East Midlands and beyond.
Meet the Canine Crime-Busters
Dave Coss with Ginny and Tim Marston with Barney make up this unstoppable duo. Together, they prove just how vital highly trained fire investigation dogs are for cracking cases and raising fire safety awareness.
A Year Packed with Life-Saving Wins
- Rapid Incident Response: These dogs and their handlers tackled 200 fire scenes this year, supporting Tier 2 Fire Investigations across the East Midlands — and even neighbouring regions.
- Arson Busters: Alongside police and CSI squads, Barney, Ginny, and the retired Dexter helped secure evidence leading to jail terms totaling over 109 years for arsonists in East Midlands and Staffordshire.
- Growing the Pack: The team trained three new dogs in 2023, including Barney, Ginny, and Giddy — the latter now joining West Midlands Fire Service’s fight against fire crime.
- Wide Regional Reach: Investigations stretched to Hereford and Worcester, Staffordshire, and Northamptonshire, proving the team’s impressive reach and flexibility.
- National Spotlight: Twice featured on BBC Crimewatch this year, the team also took part in top National Fire Investigation Dog Handler’s Association events. Plus, Tim Marston holds a national committee role championing fire dog units across the UK.
- Training the Trainers: Dave and Tim led regional Tier 1 Fire Investigation courses attended by over 130 fire personnel, sharing vital expertise and raising standards.
- Community Fire Safety Heroes: Volunteering at 17 public events this year, the team educated locals on fire prevention, helping make communities safer.
Four-Legged Heroes Committed to Justice
The Fire Investigation Dog Unit’s first year highlights just how important these heroic hounds are in solving crimes and promoting fire safety. Their sharp noses are key to bringing arsonists to justice and protecting local communities.
As they celebrate their anniversary, Dave, Tim, Ginny, Barney, and the whole unit are ready to keep sniffing out the truth and making our neighbourhoods safer for years to come.
