Support for Handlers

For more than thirty years, insurance industry funded the national Ignitable Liquid Detection K9 program managed by Maine Specialty Dogs. That support made it possible for hundreds of firefighters and law-enforcement officers to receive world-class training and annual recertification. The program produced more than 400 teams across the U.S. and Canada who have helped solve thousands of arson cases and protect communities.

In 2024, the insurance industry made the business decision to end their financial support of the program. When that happened, the fire service needed a way to keep these critical teams trained, certified, and working in the field.

International Fire Dogs (IFD) was founded to carry that mission forward. We’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to:

• Providing continued training and annual recertification for existing handlers and K9s.

• Training new teams to expand coverage in communities that no longer have access to a certified arson dog.

• Supporting handlers with travel, lodging, and equipment costs that were once covered under the previous program.

Our goal is to make sure no handler or K9 loses their certification or ability to serve simply because funding ended.

Every donation directly supports the firefighters and investigators who dedicate their time, care, and expertise to this work keeping accelerant detection K9s operational and communities safer.