THE NEWEST four-legged recruit to Bucks Fire and Rescue has been announced.
A highly-trained team of dogs is joining fire services across England, and it was announced today one of them will be assigned to the service in Bucks.
The dogs - usually collies or springer spaniels - have been trained to sniff out people trapped in collapsed buildings.
Known as Urban Search and Rescue dogs, their provision has been funded thanks to a £430,000 investment announced by Fire Minister Parmjit Dhanda.
Mr Dhanda said: "These dogs are real life savers, as shown by their heroic efforts in all parts of the world. Their skills are crucial to giving the fire service the best possible chance of finding people alive in collapsed buildings."
Bucks' new dog - which will join Barney, who joined along with handler Kerry Burns in November 2006 - will find out soon where it will be based.
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