Meet West Metro Fire Rescue's 4-Legged Investigator 'ROTC'

LAKEWOOD, CO — West Metro Fire Rescue’s newest addition has four legs and a keen sense of smell that's being put to use investigating fires within the district and around Denver's metro area.

K-9 ROTC (pronounced Rot-see), an accelerant detection specialist, recently graduated from the State Farm Arson Dog Training Program. ROTC and his handler, West Metro Lieutenant Brian Eberle, bring a valuable set of skills to the Colorado fire service, the program said.

“ROTC will be a huge asset for our investigative team,” Eberle said.

“A well-trained accelerant detection dog can quickly identify whether or not accelerants were used at a fire scene, helping us determine if a fire was intentionally set.”

ROTC is the third arson dog in service in Colorado that has been trained through the program. ROTC and Eberle are already on call for investigations.

“ROTC has an easy-going, laid back personality but he loves to work,” Eberle said.

“We do short trainings several times a day to keep us ready to respond when needed.”

When COVID-19 restrictions ease, the team will be participating in public demonstrations that will showcase ROTC’s accelerant detection sniffing abilities at schools and community safety events, officials said.

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Since its beginning in 1993, the State Farm Arson Dog Program has placed more than 425 dogs in 46 states, three Canadian provinces, and the District of Columbia. All accelerant detection canine teams are trained by Maine Specialty Dogs and certified by the Maine State Police. The program is available to fire departments and law enforcement agencies across the United States, State Farm said.