BILL ANALYSIS
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 828|
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SB 828
Author: Padilla (D)
Amended: 5/17/07
Vote: 21
SENATE GOVERNMENTAL ORG. COMMITTEE : 8-0, 4/24/07
AYES: Florez, Denham, Battin, Negrete McLeod, Vincent,
Wiggins, Wyland, Yee
NO VOTE RECORDED: Maldonado
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE : 15-0, 5/14/07
AYES: Torlakson, Cox, Aanestad, Ashburn, Calderon,
Cedillo, Corbett, Correa, Dutton, Florez, Kuehl,
Ridley-Thomas, Runner, Wyland, Yee
NO VOTE RECORDED: Battin, Oropeza
SUBJECT : Firefighters: accelerate detection dogs
SOURCE : California State Firefighters Association
DIGEST : This bill requires the State Fire Marshal, in
conjunction with recognized statewide fire investigation
entities to update and amend standards and procedures for
accelerate detection dogs and their handlers, as specified.
This bill requires these standards and procedures to be
updated and amended on or before January 1, 2009, and to be
based upon information from publications by recognized
statewide fire investigation entities, as specified.
ANALYSIS : Existing law requires peace officer and
CONTINUED
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civilian drug detection canine trainers working under the
direction of a law enforcement agency to follow specified
protocols of behavior.
The State Fire Marshal (SFM) is responsible for approving
regulations and developing building standards that promote
fire and life safety for inclusion into Title 24,
California Code of Regulations (e.g., Building Code, Fire
Code, Electrical Code, Mechanical Code, Plumbing and
Historical Building Code, etc.). In addition to the
building standards adopted by the SFM in Title 24, the SFM
is responsible for other regulations contained in Title 19,
California Code of Regulations. These regulations govern
fire and panic safety, including fire protection systems in
all buildings, fireworks, flammable fabric standards, flame
retardant chemicals, explosives, gasoline vapor control
systems, and hazardous liquid pipeline safety.
This bill:
1.Requires, on or before January 1, 2009, the SFM, in
conjunction with recognized statewide fire investigation
entities, including, but not limited to, the California
State Firefighters Association (CSFA), to update and
amend standards and procedures for accelerate detection
dogs and their handlers.
2.Stipulates that these standards and procedures shall
include, but are not limited to, department and handler
selection and evaluation, canine selection, fire scene
practices, blind odor recognition testing, field
searches, searching people, and statutes and regulations
relating to the use of accelerant detection dogs.
3.Stipulates that these standards and procedures shall
consider information from and publications by recognized
statewide fire investigation entities, including, but not
limited to, the CSFA.
Background
History of the Fire Service Dog . The use of dogs in the
fire service dates back to the 18th century when horses
were used to pull steam pumpers. Dalmatians were used to
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keep the horses company in their stables and to keep them
calm at fire scenes until their role diminished into that
of a mascot. Today, man's best friend is playing another
important role in the fire service, namely to assist fire
investigators in locating evidence of ignitable liquids or
accelerants such as petrol, kerosene, diesel fuel, etc.
Dogs have also been used successfully for some time in drug
and bomb detection.
A training program initiated in the mid-1980's, as a joint
effort between the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and
Firearms (BATF) and the Connecticut State Police (CSP),
proved to be an unmitigated success when the capability of
a Labrador Retriever, used by the CSP, to detect the odor
of accelerants, exceeded any expectations. The success of
this particular training program resulted in the
establishment of various federal, state, local and private
K-9 training programs.
CSFA Accelerant Detection K-0 Team Standards January 2007 .
In September 2006, the CSFA established an Accelerant
Detection K-9 advisory group for the purpose of developing
acceptable standards for the working Accelerated Detection
K-0's in the State of California. The group looked at
several areas relevant to the K-9 program including, but
not limited to, department selection, handler selection and
evaluation, canine selection, fire scene search practices,
blind odor recognition testing, field searches people
searches, and the law, in general, as it pertains to the
utilization of K-9's. The standards developed by the
working group are intended to assist fire and police
agencies that utilize K-9 teams.
Federal Legislation . H.R. 659, the "Canine Detection
Improvement Act of 2007," addresses the need for improved
and coordinated training, encourages the use of domestic
dogs and confronts the need for more dogs by establishing a
"Domestic Canine Breeding Grant Program" to increase canine
numbers through both public and private means. H.R. 659
also proposes to create a canine team accreditation board
to ensure proper certification standards and to prevent
fraud and abuse.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes
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Local: No
Fiscal Impact (in thousands)
Major Provisions 2007-08 2008-09
2009-10 Fund
Arson dog standards Up to $100 one time
General
and procedures
SUPPORT : (Verified 5/18/07)
California State Firefighters Association (source)
California Fire Chiefs Association
North American Police Work Dog Association
California Narcotic Canine Association
TSM:cm 5/18/07 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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