The K9 unit is comprised of six Ignitable Liquid Canine (IGL) teams and two Explosives Detection Canine (EDC) team.

In 1998, the Bureau implemented the Ignitable Liquid Detection K-9 program with past financial support from our industry partners. This mutually beneficial partnership was established to enhance the fire investigators’ ability to identify evidence of ignitable liquids utilized by arsonists and has been functioning well since its inception. Currently, the Bureau has 6 K-9 teams located statewide.

The IGL K9s are specially trained to detect and indicate the presence of trace amounts of ignitable liquids at fire scenes, supporting evidence collection for fire investigations. In practice, the canines search both interior and exterior areas of a fire scene, pinpointing potential evidence sites for investigators. The unit uses Labrador Retrievers because Labs have a superior ability to discriminate among scents at a fire scene. Their noses can smell in parts per quintillion. Labs generally have a gentle disposition, a “love to work” attitude, and an outgoing personality. The IGL K9s are trained using a food reward method and the teams are required to recertify annually. In 2025, IGL K9s responded to approximately 1000 service calls.

In 2009, the unit introduced the Explosives Detection Canines (EDC) into the unit. The EDC were placed with detectives that were assigned to the Divisions Bomb Squad. Most of the EDCs have been sourced from reputable Florida Base K9 training facilities that focus on K9 apprehension and detection work. These dogs assist with protective searches during events and can detect both commercial and homemade explosives. Highly trained, the canines are integral to Bomb Squad’s rapid and safe response to calls for service. In 2025, the EDC Canines conducted 465 proactive sweeps for explosives.