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News and Information Article
Four-Hundredth Team Deployed to Chicago Transit Authority
WASHINGTON, June 28 // -- The Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) announced today the graduation of 24 members of its
National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program. The teams are assigned
to mass transit systems in Washington D.C. (Washington Metropolitan Area
Transit Authority); Chicago (Chicago Transit Authority) and San Diego (San
Diego Trolley, Inc.); and airports in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los
Angeles, Phoenix, Dayton, Ohio, Ft. Myers, Fla., Buffalo, N.Y., Washington
D.C., Norfolk, Va., Seattle, San Francisco, and Oakland, Calif.
The classes include the 400th team in the program, Chicago Police
Department Officer Pauline Vody and her German Shepherd Eta.
"Reaching the 400th canine team milestone is a testament to the hard
work and dedication of everyone involved with the program. From our TSA
canine support staff to each and every officer partnered with a TSA canine
on the street today, they can all take pride in this accomplishment," said
Dave Kontny, NEDCTPs Director. "The fact that we have grown from 189 teams
at 39 airports in 2001 to 412 teams at more than 75 airports and 11 mass
transit systems shows the importance of canines in our multi-layered
approach to transportation security."
During training, officers were provided instruction on handler skills
and explosives safety along with the safe handling and accountability of
explosives canine training aids. Teams spent much of their time searching
for explosives in specialized indoor and outdoor training labs that
included an aircraft fuselage, a terminal area and a cargo warehouse. The
teams also practiced searching luggage and a parking lot filled with
vehicles.
Once the teams return to their airports and mass transit systems, they
will undergo several hours of proficiency training each week that includes
all the sights, sounds and smells associated with these busy environments.
Within the next few months, the teams will also undergo a rigorous on-site
certification process.
Because canine teams combine excellent mobility with reliable detection
rates, their use today has evolved to include searching areas in response
to bomb threats at airports and mass transit terminals, and aircraft,
trains, luggage, cargo and vehicles, as well as serving as a proven
deterrent to would-be terrorists.
The program is a component of TSAs Federal Air Marshal Service and is
a cooperative partnership with participating airports and mass transit
systems. TSA provides and trains the canines, in-depth training for the
handlers, and partially reimburses the participating agency for costs
associated with the teams, such as salaries, overtime, canine food and
veterinary care. TSA- certified canine teams reflect the core values of the
Department of Homeland Security -- providing first responders with the
right tools, technical assistance and funding to protect our nations
transportation systems.
Media Contact: TSA Public Affairs, +1-571-227-2829
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