REYNOLDSBURG ‒ The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal swore in the newest member of its investigative team on July 14: a 2-year-old yellow Labrador retriever named Karl.
He took the oath in a ceremony at the fire marshal’s campus in Reynoldsburg.
As the division’s newest explosive detection K-9, Karl joins the Fire and Explosion Investigations Bureau, where he has been trained to detect a variety of explosive materials, including fireworks, firearms and shell casings. Karl will work alongside his partner, Investigator Ken Wright, across Ohio. They will be based in the Canton area.
“Karl represents the dedication and innovation we bring to our efforts in protecting Ohioans,” state Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon said. “His addition improves our ability to respond to potential threats and ensures the highest standards of public safety across the state. He not only is man’s best friend, but also all of Ohio’s best friend.”
Karl’s path to becoming an explosive detection dog began with the Pilot Program in Columbus, where he was initially bred to assist individuals with vision impairments. While his energy levels made him less suited for that role, his potential for detection was quickly recognized. Following pre-training assessments, it was determined that Karl’s abilities would shine in explosives detection.
Under the guidance of Dennis Hammond, a K-9 trainer with the Columbus Division of Fire, Karl completed six weeks of imprinting training to identify explosive odors. Starting in March 2025, Wright joined Karl for an additional seven weeks of intensive training at the Columbus Bomb Squad K-9 facility. Together, the duo honed their skills, working through various environments to ensure readiness for real-world scenarios.
Since completing his training, Karl has engaged in several high-profile assignments, including the 2025 Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame and Fire Awards ceremony and the 2025 Spring NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Dayton.
Karl joins one other explosive detection K-9 and multiple accelerant K-9s in the Fire and Explosion Investigations Bureau to provide threat detection and investigative support statewide.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Ohio fire marshal adds second explosives detection dog, basing him in Canton
Reporting by Canton Repository / The Repository
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