DELHI - Delaware County Sheriff Corporal Jeffrey Clark and his K9 partner, Edge, continue to hone their explosion detection skills.
Beginning Monday April 24 the K9 team attended a week long training hosted by the Department of Homeland Security at the New York State Preparedness Training Center in Oriskany. The training event known as “Canine Week” brought together over 50 explosive detection canine teams and 33 instructors/trainers from across the state. Also in attendance were teams from other states, two teams from Canada, and one from Belgium. This was the third annual Canine Week held at the facility.
Canine Week gives handlers real world experiences by utilizing reality based training scenarios consisting of 9 skill lanes; special event security, discharged firearms searches, initial response to managing critical incidents, coordination with accelerant detection assets, helicopter socialization flights, bomb technician/team integration, effective search strategies, medical support operations for K9s and odor recognition testing.
This was an opportunity for Clark and Edge to test their skills in real world situations, helping their development into a more effective K9 team better prepared to serve Delaware County and fellow law enforcement professionals.
Homeland Security covers all cost associated with this weeklong training including lodging.
Through residential courses, third party facility usage, and mobile training programs, the State Preparedness Training Center (SPTC) provides contemporary, cutting-edge training to thousands of first responders each year.
