During today’s meeting of the Governor and Cabinet, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis, who oversees the Department of Financial Services (DFS), held a swearing in ceremony for Oregon, the newest member of DFS’ Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Unit.
Oregon’s handler, Detective Monty Taylor, has more than 15 years of experience as a K9 handler and has served with DFS’ EOD Units for nine years. Together, K9 Oregon and Detective Taylor will continue to support local law enforcement agencies across Florida, predominately in rural regions of the state, where explosive detecting resources may not be readily available. Detective Taylor and K9 Oregon will be housed out of the South Central Region in Polk County but will serve as a statewide asset.
Oregon, an 18-month old German Shepard, joined DFS’ EOD Units through Southern Coast K9 located in New Smyrna Beach. Southern Coast K9 is a recognized canine vendor specializing in training canines for law enforcement patrol work as well as canines specializing in scent discrimination for narcotics and explosives.
Detective Taylor recently retired his previous explosive detecting canine, Bella, after more than eight years of service and hundreds of requests for assistance with the detection of explosive devices and compounds.
The Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations is a law enforcement branch of the Department of Financial Services that conducts fire, arson, and explosives investigations as well as other related criminal investigations statewide. The use of explosive detection canine teams serves as a valuable asset for BFAI, whose mission is to enhance the life safety of all Floridians. Since July 1, 2016, BFAI has provided Floridians with an arson clearance rate of 41 percent. The average national arson clearance rate is 20 percent.
