Gilbert, Ariz.- The Gilbert Fire & Rescue Department is thrilled to welcome the newest and furriest member of our pack, Xanadu, an accelerant detection canine.

Xanadu is a 2.5-year-old female yellow Labrador Retriever, born on April 12, 2023. Her food motivation and desire to work made her a perfect fit for accelerant detection. Xanadu is specifically trained to locate and respond to trace amounts of several classes of ignitable liquids. These ignitable liquids could be used to fuel a fire and help it grow rapidly. Her role is important for GFRD as she will respond to fire scenes to assist fire investigators as they seek to determine the origin and cause of the fire. 

GFRD has proudly partnered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) since 2012, making Xanadu the third canine to join our team, following in the paw prints of Spring and Zeta. Being adorable is a bonus, but intelligence is essential. Xanadu’s journey started in Front Royal, Virginia, where she underwent twelve intensive weeks of training at the ATF National Canine Division Training Center.

Xanadu’s first six weeks were her imprinting phase, during which she learned to recognize six different classifications of ignitable liquids. Xanadu was then paired with her handler, and they spent the next six weeks training, bonding, and completing their certification process. They then returned home to Gilbert, Arizona, to begin their operational work. Approximately 70 canine teams participate in the ATF ADC Program nationwide.

Xanadu will help GFRD combat arson and fire-related crimes, speed up fire scene investigations, and enhance the on-scene accuracy of detecting and collecting ignitable liquids for laboratory analysis. She will also serve as a community ambassador for fire safety and education, and we’re beyond excited to have her on board. We can’t wait for the community to meet her.

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