Arson dogs are trained to work with a human handler and find evidence at fire scenes. The dogs are searching for accelerants such as gas, oil or fuel used to start fires. State Farm is the only company in North America that provides funding for the training of arson dog teams.

The State Farm Arson Dog Program is available to fire departments and law enforcement agencies across the United States. Since its beginning in 1993, the program has placed more than 425 dogs in 46 states, three Canadian provinces and the District of Columbia.

Arson is one of the most difficult crimes to solve, as the evidence literally burns up. Insurance fraud causes billions of dollars in damage each year. In fact, many police and fire departments are seeing an increase in suspicious fires because of business closures, financial challenges and social disruption.

"Fire investigators should have every tool possible to combat this deadly crime," said Heather Paul, State Farm Arson Dog Program Coordinator. “These dogs help fire investigators to do their job. Arson dog teams can quickly locate evidence of accelerants such as gasoline or fuel used to start a fire.”

Meeting and training with a new best friend

All of the dogs are Labrador retrievers and come from animal rescues or disability assistance programs. The dogs are trained months before they meet their human handler and must work for every meal. When the dog smells fuel, they sit down and point with their nose. Their “reward” is a handful of dog food and praise. They can locate accelerants quickly, even if it is buried under debris.

Canine handlers are police detectives or fire investigators. The training class is four weeks long and the handlers know it will be intense. Over the four weeks, the handler and dog will repeat training drills multiple times a day. Food reward dogs only eat from the hand of their handler so these training drills will be repeated multiple times a day for the life until the dog retires.

Following a month of classes and drills, the arson dog teams are tested and certified by the Maine State Police. Once certified, the teams travel back to their communities to begin investigating fires. The dogs live in the home of their handler and they retire in the home of their handler. For the men and women training in the program, working with a dog is a career highlight.

Congratulations to the newly certified teams in Class No. 52!

1. Fire Chief Billy Dillon & K-9 Piper - Howe Springs Fire Rescue (Florence, SC)
2. Special Agent Michael Kuban & K-9 Phantom - Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (Springfield, IL)
3. Special Agent Kenny Arnold & K-9 Gunny - Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (Springfield, IL)
4. Special Agent Jeff Pride and K-9 PJ - Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (Springfield, IL)
5. Captain Stephanie Schofield & K-9 Jennifer - Rawlins Fire Department (Rawlins, WY)
6. Fire Inspector John Neeb & K-9 Mika - West Fargo Fire Department (West Fargo, ND)
7. Fire Investigator Thomas Cantola & K-9 Maya - Girard Fire Department (Girard, OH)
8. Fire Investigator Brian Acors & K-9 Erny - Richmond Fire Department (Richmond, VA)
9. Arson Investigator Darren Jurado & K-9 Brownie - Compton Fire Department (Compton, CA)
10. Fire Investigator Lee Maness & K-9 Vinny - Cobb County Fire and EMS (Marietta, GA)
11. Detective Michael Douglas K-9 Ruthie - State of Florida, Division of Investigative & Forensic Services (Tampa, FL)
12. Detective Cody McIntyre & K-9 Rico - State of Florida, Division of Investigative & Forensic Services (Tallahassee, FL)
13. Firefighter Brent Autry & K-9 Tony - Milan Fire Department (Milan, TN)
14. Assistant Fire Chief Jim Kanavy & K-9 Mikey - Scott County Fire Department (Georgetown, KY)

Arson Dog Calendar

Each of this year's class of K-9 crime-fighters is featured on one of the calendar pages below. Click to download.

In the News:

• West Fargo Pioneer: Fire corner: Welcoming Mika to the team (09/30/20)

“Current State Farm driving data and claims experience show a considerable decline in miles driven and fewer accidents,” said Lan Martin, Vice President – Agency/Sales. “As a result, we’re looking for ways to continue supporting our Virginia customers while we monitor and adjust to trends.”

In addition to the auto rate reduction, the discount for participating in Drive Safe & Save™ is increasing to 10%, and empowers drivers to save more on their auto premiums through driving behaviors.

Customer rate reductions will vary based on their individual renewals. Customers are encouraged to visit with their State Farm agent about individual policies, coverage and any opportunities for discounts, including Drive Safe & Save.

Food pantries have long known the impact peanut butter can have. It's a prized addition to their shelves.

For the past three years, State Farm employees have stepped up to help meet that need. In February, more than 33,500 pounds of peanut butter were donated at our hubs and operations centers. The total surpassed last year’s total by more than 10,000 pounds.

Local organizations in several locations across the country received donations in early March.

Not too long after, COVID-19 shuttered our offices and much of the country. Now, with resources scarce and more people than ever relying food banks, the peanut butter will make an even bigger impact.

Ashley Edling is the Food Panty volunteer and programs manager for the Network of Community Ministries in Dallas. It’s one of 13 agencies that received peanut butter from this year’s drive.

“Shelf stable items like peanut butter provide a lasting effect. We can distribute it to families for weeks after the initial donation," Ashley said.

Some of the Atlanta Hub employees’ donation went to Georgia State University’s food pantry. Many in the university’s student population face unique challenges including food insecurity. There State Farm LIFT Scholars, who receive scholarship support from State Farm, helped stock the pantry’s shelves.

“Philanthropy can have an amplifying effect. The peanut butter donation allowed our LIFT Scholars to give back and support others facing difficult circumstances,” said Heath Wood, Senior Director Corporate and Foundation Relations, Georgia State University.

“It showed them the resources, education, and attitude necessary to succeed in the face of the challenges they’ll face in life.”

Peanut Butter Drive Highlights:

• Phoenix Hub employees collected 10,526 pounds of peanut butter. It was donated to Midwest Food Bank, United Food Bank and St. Mary’s Food Bank.
• Atlanta employees collected and donated 7,255 pounds of peanut butter. It went to the Midwest Food Bank of Georgia and the Georgia State University Panther Pantry.
• Employees from the Bloomington campus collected 6,313 pounds of peanut butter that went to the Midwest Food Bank of Bloomington-Normal.
• In Dallas, 8,467 pounds of peanut butter was donated to the Network of Community Ministries’ food pantry and the Richland College and the UT Dallas campus food pantries.
• State Farm Operations Centers in Austin, Charlottesville, Lincoln, and Newark collected over 1,021 pounds of peanut butter for their local food banks.

Thanks to the support of State Farm, SkillsUSA will focus on instructor training that helps grow its local chapters. Instructors will receive the latest information and tools in employability skills training, leadership development and teaching strategies.

State Farm is supporting:

• SkillsUSA’s Engage training for teachers at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) in June 2019
• Ongoing workshops on educational resources including the SkillsUSA Career Essentials suite, SkillsUSA’s flagship curriculum for middle school, high school, college/postsecondary and adult learners
• Materials and instruction at the 2019 Call to Action session, held exclusively for over 600 SkillsUSA instructors at the NLSC
• A teacher track during the Washington Leadership Training Institute in Washington, D.C., attended by SkillsUSA instructors from 28 states, in September 2019

In addition, SkillsUSA Championships supported by State Farm will include the 2019 Auto Refinishing, Collision Repair and Collision Damage Appraisal competitions, in which national competitors will test their skills against other students and the clock to industry standards for entry-level employees in these fields. State Farm support also includes a Prize Equity Fund for leadership events and a sector sponsorship for the transportation cluster at the national championships.

State Farm Insurance Companies, headquartered in Bloomington, Ill., has been a SkillsUSA supporter for 20 years with a total investment of over $2.8 million.

“SkillsUSA salutes State Farm for supporting our nation’s top career and technical education programs as we work to prepare career-ready students,” says SkillsUSA’s executive director, Timothy Lawrence. “SkillsUSA is a verified talent pipeline and skills gap solution that graduates 100,000 career-ready SkillsUSA students each year. Our organization lifts up and recognizes students and provides much-needed support for their teachers to ensure America has a future skilled workforce. We could not deliver our crucial mission without companies like State Farm working alongside us.”

“It is extremely important to have highly skilled technicians in body shops across the nation writing collision damage appraisals, repairing the vehicles and refinishing them,” says State Farm Senior Vice President, Property and Casualty Claims, Robert Yi. “The SkillsUSA Championships set industry standards for students and educators and help to ensure that students graduating into these professions possess the knowledge and skills to be successful in their craft.”

For more about the 2019 SkillsUSA Championships, visit: https://www.skillsusa.org/competitions/skillsusa-championships/.

For more information about SkillsUSA, contact:

• Jane A. DeShong Short, Program Manager, Public Relations/Communications, Phone: 703-737-0612
• Karen Kitzel, Program Manager, Public Relations/Communications, Phone: 703-737-0607

The last overall rate change in Virginia was a decrease of 2.9 percent in June of 2018. Combined, the two auto rate decreases save Virginia customers $63 million.

“We’re always evaluating how we can best serve our customers and are very pleased to be able to offer this rate decrease in Virginia,” said State Farm Senior Vice President Chris Schell. “Lower than expected expenses and losses were important factors, among many, that supported our decision to make this rate change.”

Overall changes in premiums for individual motorists will vary depending on the specific details of an individual customer’s policy and chosen coverages. The effective date for new and renewal business is Feb. 18, 2019. Virginia customers with questions can contact their local State Farm agent to discuss their individual situation.

In addition to this rate reduction, State Farm agents are able to review with new and existing customers the many opportunities for additional discounts that may apply to an individual’s unique circumstances. A rate decrease combined with discounts offers an exceptional long-term value to State Farm customers.

“It’s been a team effort to make drone technology a reality,” says Senior Vice President for P&C Claims Robert Yi. “The waiver will provide our claims specialists with another way to efficiently help customers. We can use drones to assess on-the-ground damage and deploy resources. This is a huge win for our customers and demonstrates we’re recognized as a leader in drone technology.”

Current FAA regulations restrict pilots from flying drones beyond their visual line of sight and over groups of people. In a catastrophe situation, access to the impacted area may be challenged by water, debris and damage to infrastructure. The national waiver will also open up new innovation opportunities for State Farm by allowing longer-distance flights.

“There are many possibilities for the use of drones but FAA regulators need to be assured that operations can be conducted safely” said Mark Blanks, Director for the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP) at Virginia Tech. “State Farm had a compelling proposal for how drones could improve their customer experience and an unwavering commitment to safety. MAAP had the operational expertise and the research experience to help them navigate the approval process and collect supporting data. This success shows how powerful it can be when industry and academia collaborate to break new ground.”

How we got here

For nearly two years, State Farm has been working with the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP) at Virginia Tech on drone safety case research. In May 2018, the Commonwealth of Virginia was selected as one of 10 teams selected to be part of the FAA Integration Pilot Program (IPP). As a member of the Virginia IPP team, State Farm has worked with MAAP to assess a wide range of potential risks and strategies for reducing them.

“I’m proud of the teamwork demonstrated in making a nationwide waiver a reality at State Farm,” says Mark Oakley, Senior Vice President for Labs @ State Farm. “The partnership between Claims, Labs and Virginia Tech has been integral in getting us to this point. As the first and only company to secure a nationwide waiver to date, this is a substantial achievement and testament to the skills, knowledge, passion and commitment of these teams. We strongly believe the waivers provide us with the ability to explore new and exciting opportunities for State Farm.”

State Farm and MAAP have conducted numerous tests that evaluated the fixed-wing eBee Classic drone, manufactured by senseFly, for longer-distance damage assessment flights. Based on the strength of the research and resulting safety case documentation, the FAA approved temporary waivers for State Farm to conduct damage-assessment drone flights over people and beyond the operator’s visual line of sight in states impacted by Hurricanes Florence and Michael. Successful flights in the aftermath of the two hurricanes yielded valuable real-world experience and insights that were incorporated into the national waiver request.

Over the next several years, the members of the Virginia IPP team will continue exploring innovative ways to safely use drone technology, including catastrophe response, emergency management, and infrastructure inspection. The day-to-day operations of the Virginia IPP team is managed by MAAP.

In The News

• Forbes:  FAA OKs Long-Range Drone Flights Over Populated Areas By State Farm To Assess Florence Damage (9/19/18)

• Virginia Tech:  National waiver lays out a roadmap for drone integration (3/8/19)

• Robotics Business Review: How State Farm Earned National Waiver for Drone Flights (3/15/19)

In addition to the operational capabilities granted by these FAA waivers, State Farm will continue to utilize drone technology as a tool for our claim representatives to assist in individual inspections of our customers’ homes and properties related to these hurricanes.

It was less than one month ago when Hurricane Florence struck North and South Carolina. State Farm was the first and only insurance company to receive an FAA waiver allowing Claims pilots to operate drones beyond visual line of sight and over people for damage assessment. Drone flights were coordinated with the FAA and Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP) at Virginia Tech as part of the Integration Pilot Program for large-scale damage assessment in Virginia and South Carolina.

State Farm requires the ability to quickly assess damage after significant weather events in order to serve customers as efficiently as possible. Drone technology is an additional tool providing technical capabilities to quickly deploy over an event site and assess damage from the air. Data obtained from drone flights can be used for determining severity of the event for better resource allocation and quick determination of uninhabitable insured property.

State Farm drone pilots will operate eBee fixed-wing drones for flights approved under the FAA waiver for damage assessment. Claims representatives conducting drone flights for roof inspections will utilize Kespry multi-rotor drones.

To get the claims process started, you can file your claim online, call 1-800-SFCLAIM (800-732-5246) or contact your State Farm agent.

The State Farm Weather and Catastrophe Team is being dispatched to the hardest hit areas. Click the image to learn more about the capabilities of this industry-leading response unit.

In The News:

• WFSU -  Insurance Company Takes To The Sky After Hurricane Michael (10/17/18)
• WPTV - West Palm Beach:  Insurance companies use drones to assess storm damage for faster, easier claims process (10/18/18)
• WMBB Live in Panama Beach: The Panama City Mall parking lot has become a staging area for work crews. State Farm also has an insurance claim center set up, and mall staff say the mall is working to reopen.(10-15-18)
• WYFF-Greenville, SC:  Flood Insurance on the Rise After Florence (9/18/18)

• The Weather Channel: What to do before and after a hurricane (09/11/18)

The insurance company has been collaborating with the Virginia Tech Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP) on one of ten elite teams selected earlier this year to the FAA Integration Pilot Program (IPP). Their successful application for this unprecedented waiver is a testament to the program’s success in facilitating rapid, research-based advances in drone operations to serve communities’ needs.

“State Farm needs to quickly assess damage after significant weather events,” says Robert Yi, Senior Vice President – State Farm. “Drone technology provides us with the capability to quickly deploy over a catastrophe site and assess damage from the air. The data we obtain from drone flights can be used to help us determine the severity of damage. This also allows us to place our Claims team on-the-ground and evaluate uninhabitable insured property.”

Since May 2018, State Farm has collaborated with MAAP and Virginia Tech’s world-renowned injury biomechanics group to assess a wide range of potential risks and strategies for reducing them; the team collected data on a variety of parameters including the aircraft’s communications performance, navigational precision, and the risk of injury to humans. The strength of the data made a compelling case to the FAA that State Farm could safely conduct sophisticated aerial damage-assessment operations following the devastating impact of Hurricane Florence. That capability gives State Farm additional tools to serve customers and moves the whole drone industry forward.

Current FAA regulations restrict pilots from flying drones beyond their visual line of sight and from flying drones over groups of people. In a catastrophe situation such as Hurricane Florence, access to the area may be challenged by water, debris, and damage to infrastructure. Damage may also extend across a large area, making efficient damage assessment very difficult. The new waiver will make the insurer’s work much easier by allowing longer-distance flights over densely populated areas.

The FAA waiver reflects months of detailed research following a process pioneered by MAAP for identifying, evaluating, and mitigating potential risks presented by drone operations.

“This is a pivotal moment that demonstrates the value of a risk-based safety case development process,” said MAAP director Mark Blanks. “Drone technology has tremendous potential to serve the public, but before we can harness that capability we need to demonstrate conclusively that ambitious operations can be done safely. This waiver, and the volume of research that backs it up, shows that this approach works.”

The disaster-assessment work this waiver will enable exemplifies the purpose of the IPP: to facilitate the next generation of drone applications by working with communities on groundbreaking projects that can improve the public’s quality of life and spur innovation. Through research collaboration with MAAP, State Farm determined that flying the eBee fixed-wing drone reduced the risk of damage to people and property. Manufactured by senseFly, the drone also captures high-resolution imagery.

Earlier this year, the Virginia-based research team was selected for the FAA Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Integration Pilot Program (IPP). The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced their selection of teams for the multi-year program following a competitive application process. State Farm is the only insurance company selected to participate in the program. Approximately 150 communities applied for the program. Only 10 teams from across the country were selected.

Over the next three years, the Virginia team will explore applications of drone technology including catastrophe response, emergency management, and infrastructure inspection. The day-to-day operations will be managed by Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP) at Virginia Tech, which has accumulated significant expertise running one of only seven federal test sites for unmanned aircraft systems. The organization has built a reputation for facilitation of ground-breaking testing while upholding the most rigorous standards of safety.

In The News

• Forbes:  FAA OKs Long-Range Drone Flights Over Populated Areas By State Farm To Assess Florence Damage (9/19/18)

• Unmanned Aerial:  State Farm Granted Key Drone Permissions for Florence Damage Assessment (9/19/18)

• The Roanoke Star:  VA Tech / State Farm Collaborate to Secure FAA Waiver for Drone Operations in Areas Impacted by Hurricane Florence (9/19/18)

To get the claims process started, you can file your claim online, call 1-800-SFCLAIM (800-732-5246) or contact your State Farm agent.

The State Farm Weather and Catastrophe Team is being dispatched to the hardest hit areas. Click the image to learn more about the capabilities of this industry-leading response unit.

In The News:

• Forbes: FAA OKs Long-Range Drone Flights Over Populated Areas By State Farm To Assess Florence Damage (9/19/18)

• WYFF-Greenville, SC:  Flood Insurance on the Rise After Florence (9/18/18)

• NBC29-Charlottesville: State Farm Mobile Center Readying to Roll Out of Albemarle County Office (09/14/18)

• Weather Channel: Florence coverage, Jake from State Farm dog (09/13/18)

• WUSA-Washington, DC: What's the difference between water coverage and flood coverage? (09/11/18)

• Bloomington Pantagraph: State Farm: 'Ready to respond' to Hurricane Florence (09/12/18)

• WCCB-Charlotte: State Farm Insurance Not Making Policy Changes In Light Of Hurricane Florence (09/11/18)

• The Weather Channel: What to do before and after a hurricane (09/11/18)

“The company’s current financial strength is allowing us to pass along a rate reduction to our Virginia customers," said State Farm Senior Vice President Chris Schell. “We continually evaluate how we can best serve our customers and are very pleased to be able to offer this rate decrease in Virginia”

Overall changes in premiums for individual motorists will vary depending on the specific details of an individual customer’s policy and chosen coverages. The effective date for new and renewal business is June 18, 2018. Virginia customers with questions can contact their local State Farm agent to discuss their individual situation.

In addition to this rate reduction, State Farm agents are able to review with new and existing customers the many opportunities for additional discounts that may apply to an individual’s unique circumstances. A rate decrease combined with discounts offers exceptional long-term value to State Farm customers.

State Farm is a member of the Virginia team led by the Commonwealth of Virginia through the state’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Investment Authority and the Center for Innovative Technology. Seven state agencies are part of the Virginia team in addition to eight corporate partners. Approximately 150 communities applied for the program. Only 10 teams from across the country were selected.

Over the next three years, the Virginia team will explore applications of drone technology including catastrophe response, emergency management, and infrastructure inspection. The day-to-day operations will be managed by Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP) at Virginia Tech, which has accumulated significant expertise running one of only seven federal test sites for unmanned aircraft systems. The organization has built a reputation for facilitation of ground-breaking testing while upholding the most rigorous standards of safety.

“State Farm has earned a reputation for providing an industry leading catastrophe response,” says Todd Binion, P&C Claims Staff Consultant at State Farm. “We see drone technology as an additional tool to help us assess damage and serve our customers and communities impacted by catastrophe events. We are excited to work alongside the FAA, MAAP, and other leaders in the drone space to address how drone technology can meet the ever changing needs of the public and private sector.”

In 2015, State Farm became the first insurance company in the U.S. to receive approval to conduct commercial UAS operations.

As the number of drones operating in U.S. airspace increases, the FAA has been working to respond to the growing interest in the commercial use of this technology, while balancing important concerns regarding public safety. The UAS IPP provides the opportunity for state, local, and tribal governments to partner with private sector entities to accelerate safe drone testing for currently restricted operations such as beyond-visual-line-of-sight flights and flights over people.

State Farm has once again joined with the United States Fire Administration for National Arson Awareness Week to raise awareness about reducing the risk of arson fires.

It’s impossible to prevent all arson crimes, but creating an environment that reduces the risk of damage and injury is important. Homeowners, business owners, and community leaders can help reduce the risk of arson through security measures and public education.

External and Internal Safety

• Illuminate building exteriors and entrances – arsonists fear light.
• Clear things like shrubbery that block the view of the home or building.
• Clean up – remove anything that could fuel a fire for an arsonist.
• Install smoke alarms and a fire sprinkler system.
• Keep doors and windows locked when the building is unattended.
• Establish an arson watch program in your local neighborhood and community.

State Farm Arson Dog Program

Since 1993, State Farm has funded the acquisition and training of accelerant detection canine teams, commonly called arson dogs. The State Farm Arson Dog Program has placed more than 380 arson dogs in communities across North America. 

An arson dog team can quickly search a fire scene for evidence of arson. This saves time and money for tax payers and increases the likelihood that the arsonist will be caught and prosecuted. As of May 2017, there are 96 active and certified teams trained through the State Farm Arson Dog Program in North America. This includes 12 new teams certified in April 2017. 

Hover over the interactive image below for details on these newest investigative teams:​

• Fire Chief Ricky Flowers & K9 Cato - Darlington County Fire District (Hartsville, SC)
• Fire Marshal Pat Weaver & K9 Izzy - Picayune Fire Department (Picayune, MS)
• Fire Investigator John Wauchek & K9 Mikey - Rutherford County Fire Rescue (Murfreesboro, TN)
• Arson Investigator Shane Arndt & K9 Mazy - Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office (Springfield, IL)
• Fire Investigator Scott Wilson & K9 Bandel - DC Fire and EMS (Washington, D.C.)
• Deputy Jerry Riggins & K9 Marvel - Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Department (Chatham, VA)
• Fire Investigator Dan Roberts & K9 Gibson - Council Bluffs Fire Department (Council Bluffs, IA)
• Arson Investigator Ryan Press & K9 Jenna - San Antonio Fire Department (San Antonio, TX)
• Lieutenant Brandon Ferrell & K9 Pearl - Conroe Fire Department (Conroe, TX)
• Firefighter Shane Weltikol & K9 Webbster - Mandan Fire Department (Mandan, ND)
• Patrolman Brian Gilmore & K9 Elou - Upper Chichester Township Police Department (Boothwyn, PA)
• Assistant Fire Marshal Jim Pasley & K9 Izzo - Columbia Fire Department (Columbia, MO)

Three Church Fires in One Evening

A church should be a safe and peaceful place. The theme for 2017 National Arson Awareness is “Preventing Arson Fires in Houses of Worship”. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that from 2007 – 2011, the average for structure fires at religious properties (church, mosque, synagogue, temple or chapel) was 1,600 fires and $105 million in direct property damage. Recent analysis by the Pew Research Center indicates that 51% of these fires were determined to be arson.

December 2, 2014, will go down in history as one of the most devastating for Felton, Delaware. It was around 2:00 a.m. when firefighters from the Felton and Frederica Volunteer Fire Companies were called to a fire at the Healing Hands Christian Church. Firefighters were already battling the blaze when they received word that a second church, Manship Chapel, was on fire four miles away. Within hours, a third fire was reported at the nearby Law Mennonite Church. For the members of the three churches, the fires left them heartbroken and scared.

Arson was suspected in all three church fires, but it would take more than suspicion to bring the criminal(s) to justice. Arson is a very difficult crime to solve because the evidence burns up. For fire investigators, having every tool available is critical when arson is suspected. Deputy Fire Marshal John Galaska with the Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office had the powerful nose of his partner, K9 Tanya, to help with the investigation. As an accelerant detection, or “arson dog” team, their job is to help find evidence that a fire was intentionally started.

Deputy Marshal Galaska and K9 Tanya worked with state and federal law enforcement agencies to collect evidence. Their hard work led to the arrest of two local men. Both men confessed to breaking into the churches following a night of heavy drinking. They pled guilty to second degree arson, third degree burglary, and second degree conspiracy. For Galaska and K9 Tanya, it was another investigation resulting in an arsonist behind bars. It also allowed the community and the congregations to begin healing.

Every second counts when first responders race to their destination. But what happens when they arrive at the scene and find someone trapped inside tons of snarled steel? How do they get the people out safely? Extrication.

Often, local fire departments and rescue squads have limited budgets. This means limited opportunities to receive vitally important, hands-on extrication training. State Farm is here to help first responders learn the intricacies of extrication from coast to coast.

Salvage Value in Virginia

In collaboration with the National Auto Body Council (NABC) and Holmatro, State Farm helps provide free extrication training for first responders. This is through NABC’s First Responders Emergency Extrication (FREE) program. The insurance company also provides salvage donations for use at training events. This no-cost training is a rare opportunity for hands-on practice on newer vehicles equipped with sophisticated new materials and technologies.

Two training events took place at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Vehicle Research Center in Ruckersville Virginia. First responders were first trained to cut and extricate passengers properly and safely. This was done in vehicles equipped with new technology. The new technology included high strength steels, sophisticated electronics and multiple airbags. This training is vital to protect not only the lives of crash victims, but also the lives of first responders.

“It’s impossible to measure the true impact when State Farm and our industry participate in programs like FREE. It is a very real way we are able to show our true commitment to building safer, stronger, and better educated communities,” shared Elizabeth Clark, a NABC Executive Board member and State Farm leader.

Crunch Time on the West Coast

Crunch Time is a two day extrication training class every September in Gig Harbor, WA. The training program enhances first responders’ skills at emergencies. This includes events such as vehicle collisions, machinery entanglements, parking garage or bridge collapses, and natural disasters.

Participants rotate through 12 different scenarios. They include ones such as school bus extrication, car vs. semi-truck, and vehicles which have plunged into an irrigation canal. Besides patient extrication, participants experience heavy lift scenarios, learn proper use and handling of hydraulic tools, and stabilization techniques.

Working around air bags, cutting through different metal alloys, and computerized panels found in hybrid vehicles pose different safety challenges than just 10 to 15 years ago. Many safety features drivers expect in their vehicles today add safety risks to rescuers.

That’s why fire departments and responder units from Alaska, California and states as far away as Florida send their personnel to the largest training of its kind – Crunch Time.

More than eighty cars were used in September 2016 training. State Farm is one of a handful of sponsors that provide annual grants to keep the program current with the most up-to-date equipment. Since 2003, State Farm has donated more than 85 vehicles to Crunch Time. This includes a hybrid vehicle that was cut open to display the internal components.

“Crunch Time helps students become safer in their rescue attempts. It also teaches them to be more effective at handling emergencies. And even better at handling traumatic events,” shared Lt. TJ Teeple, Technical Rescue Lieutenant at Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One and Incident Commander for Crunch Time.

Lt. Teeple sums up the benefits of extrication training when he says, “The best measurement of success for the program is when firefighters tell us this training has saved lives.”

Career paths can take unplanned twists and turns…for canines too.

This was the case for three sisters – Duchess, Darby and Pearl. Paws with a Cause (PAWS) bred the sisters to be Assistance Dogs.

The road to careers for the adorable, feisty sisters began with separation at eight weeks and placement in loving foster homes for a year.

The pups were homeschooled to learn basic commands, tasks and obedience. They got to show off their skills to their friends in weekly classes at PAWS. But, it was not all work, there was plenty of time to play for the high energy siblings.

As they approached their second birthdays, the girls returned together at PAWS for more training. They worked hard, but had fun learning advanced tasks like retrieving, picking up objects and opening doors. Like all young adults, the sisters had to master their classes so they could one day become Assistance Dogs.

But, it turned out the three girls, with their rambunctious natures and joy for everything, just weren’t suited for this line of work. Fortunately, PAWS prepared for this with a Plan B.

The Nose Knows

Once again, the girls went their separate ways to explore new career paths. Pearl moved to a foster home in Maine to learn how to detect bed bugs. But after several months, she discovered bed bugs weren’t her calling. Her real talent was sniffing out accelerants.

Meanwhile, at their foster home in Indiana, Duchess and Darby made the same discovery. Three sisters with the same gift!

Supported by State Farm, the girls happily reunited in August 2015 for four weeks of formal Arson Dog training in Alfred, Maine. It was there they became canine crime fighters and found their forever partners.

Graduation was a proud, joyful day for the sisters, even though it meant they would be leaving each other permanently. The girls are living their happily ever after’s in neighboring states.

• Fire Marshal Ben Gouldman & Duchess (Stafford, Virginia)

• Lt. Brian Dalrymple & Pearl (Richmond, Virginia)

• Fire Marshal Danny Hill & K9 Darby (New Bern, North Carolina)

PAWS can’t accomplish their work without help. Because of the increasing demand for Assistance Dogs, PAWS has a foster program for individuals interested in caring for and training a puppy, with the ultimate satisfaction of returning the dog to PAWS to become an Assistance dog. If you want more information regarding the foster puppy program, please visit www.pawswithacause.org.