BILL ANALYSIS ------------------------------------------------------------ |SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 828| |Office of Senate Floor Analyses | | |1020 N Street, Suite 524 | | |(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | | |327-4478 | | ------------------------------------------------------------ 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 SB 828 Page 2 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 SB 828 Page 3 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 SB 828 Page 4 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 **** END ****