While the skills and charisma of the department’s canine unit often steal the spotlight, it is the handler who stands quietly behind them – a steadfast and vigilant companion whose presence grounds the animal and gives them their confidence.
The bond between dog and handler is forged through rigorous training, perilous operations, and countless moments away from loved ones, all in the name of duty, to serve and protect.
M Mohan, team leader of the K9 unit, said he often reminds young handlers that the dogs are not mere assets or showpieces – they are family members whose welfare and emotions must also be cared for.
“Sometimes there are two or three fire-investigation operations in a single day, so handlers must manage the dogs’ rest well because they are not machines,” the 54-year-old told Bernama recently.
‘We must understand their souls, as they too have emotions. If we care for them, God will care for us.”
Recalling his early years over a decade ago, the Pahang-born senior officer said his first four-legged partner, a Labrador named Louis, assisted in numerous fire investigations, including several high-profile cases in Kuala Lumpur and Shah Alam.
These included a 44-storey building under construction in the capital, as well as a massive blaze at four factories in Shah Alam, where temperatures soared beyond 1,000°C.
“Even though the site was destroyed, Louis still managed to give an accurate indication of the cause of the fire. What a super detector dog!” he exclaimed.
Mohan still recalls Louis’s playful ability to hold two tennis balls in his mouth as a reward. This bond, sadly, is now only a memory as Louis has had to retire owing to health problems.
Mohan also noted that being a handler requires sacrifice: some operations stretch on for a week, keeping him away from his wife and children.
For senior fire officer Anthony Phillip, 32, the most painful moment in his seven years of service was the loss of his Labrador K9 partner, Razor, a specialist in tracking missing persons.
“I’d been with him for almost eight years, and one of my sweetest memories was in 2020, when he successfully tracked down a missing senior citizen in Kelantan.
“The victim was found alive, and that was the most meaningful moment for me,” he recalled, adding: “If we are stressed or angry, their performance will also be affected. That is why we must control our emotions in front of them.”
He, too, agreed that this is a job that requires significant sacrifice. Once, his son was admitted to hospital, yet he still had to report for duey as no other handler had been available to take his place.
Meanwhile, senior fire officer Tony Albert Mani, 31, reflected on the deep connection he shares with his K9 partner, Denti – a loyal Labrador who has stood by his side through eight years of service.
Together, they’ve braved countless operations, including the Batang Kali landslide in 2022 and the devastating earthquake in Turkey in 2023.
“In Turkey, the challenge was immense because of the freezing temperatures, reaching -7 to -8°C. Denti was not used to such conditions, so I had to constantly monitor him, providing blankets and warm water.
“Even when we are busy, we must spend at least 30 minutes to play or train with the dogs – that is the secret ingredient,” Tony shared.
He concluded: “Denti is not just my dog – he’s my buddy. We complement each other.”