Why K-9?
Why should your agency choose ICES, Inc.?International Canine Explosives Solutions’ explosive detection canine teams bring technical capability, mobility and flexibility to security attributes essential to protecting security systems of all kinds. The unique capabilities of our canine teams enable movement throughout the security systems in which they protect, and ICES teams can be posted at multiple locations during times periods that vary by shift and day. This team flexibility in both location and time adds an important physiological element of unpredictability that works to enhance security measures and to provide the most reliable explosive detection tool available to protect the commuting public as they travel abroad.
Why are canines vital to all modes of transportation?
ICES canines are an important tool for deterring terrorism
in today’s security systems. ICES teams are the most mobile, flexible
form of explosive detection and can be utilized in all aspects of the
security arena. An explosive detection canine team can be used to search
aircrafts, vehicles, terminals, warehouses, luggage, mass transits,
ferry boats, cruise lines, postal facilities including DHL, FedEx, and
UPS, and they can augment or replace current security technology.
When can ICES canine be called to perform a search?
There is a an unlimited variety of scenarios that ICES canines
can be used for in addition to those noted above, such as any situation
where specific threats involving explosives have been made. ICES, Inc.
is also capable of jointly working with federal, state and local law
enforcement. ICES teams can be utilized to clear sports arenas, schools,
office buildings, ferry boats, mass transits, cruise ships, postal facilities
such as DHL, UPS and FedEx, as well as all areas ICES teams are posted
to protect. Due to the mobility and unique abilities of ICES canines
to identify the source of an explosive odor, their presence is a critical
element in protecting the homeland.
How are ICES canines trained to find explosives?
Dogs are initially trained at an ICES training facility through
a conditioning model called "operant conditioning." This model
is reward-based. The canine is trained to "indicate or respond"
to the location of an explosive odor; when the dog responds correctly,
it is given a reward that is of great value to the canine, such as a
ball, Kong, toy, or even food. ICES canines determine which reward they
prefer, and the association of explosive odor and reward for correct
responses is administered on a continual basis for hundreds of repetitions
until the canine demonstrates mastery of the required task.
What is the dog looking for?
ICES canines are looking for a variety of threat-based explosive
odors that they have been specially trained to detect. Once the canine
identifies the explosive odor, it responds accordingly. Recent scientific
studies have concluded that the canine actually uses several combinations
of different parts of the explosive to make a determination.
Once the canine finds something, what will they do?
ICES canines respond in a "passive" manner. When
they find the absolute threshold, or strongest explosive odor, they
sit as close as possible to the location of the explosive odor.
Why are ICES canines given a reward?
ICES canines receive a ball, Kong, toy, or even food for identifying
the correct location of an explosive; they also receive physical and
verbal praise for detection efforts. To a canine searching for explosives,
the event is as simple as a game of hide and seek. When ICES canines
successfully find an explosive odor, they receive a reward.