With an increase in terrorist activities and drug smugglers there has been a growing need for airports to develop their security operations. Detection dogs are quite often brought in to help detect illegal substances such as drugs and explosives. How do detection dogs detect the substance? Detection dogs are used at airports for a number scenarios. They sniff passengers and hand luggage at security checkpoints and if someone reports a suspicious package or incident on a plane, bomb dogs sniff the aircraft, its passengers and its cargo hatch. When the dog finds a scent, it leads the handler toward the source and the universal sit signal tells the handler that it has found something. If you’ve ever watched a sniffer dog at an airport, you may have noticed that it works in silence, with neither a word nor a bark is exchanged between the dog and its handler. What substances can detection dogs find? It’s not surprising that detection dogs are used at airports due to their ability to detect the following substances within luggage and on the person: Drugs – including weed, cocaine,opium and heroin Explosives/Bombs Concealed weapons and firearms Illegal animal based products Large amounts of cash No matter how much the traveller tries to conceal the substance, detection dogs are trained to detect illegal odours when they are tightly sealed or deeply hidden. They can identify individual scents even when the scents are combined or masked by other odours. Why use detection dogs for airport security? There is no denying that detection dogs cannot replace humans when it comes to airport security but what they can do is provide that extra security measure. Even though humans smell using most of the same equipment as dogs, there are differences. Dogs are better than us at sucking in odours. Their noses are longer and roomier than ours, so they can inhale more air per sniff. Detection dogs also have 20-40 times more odour receptors in their noses than we do. Airports are now starting to use detection dogs to speed up security waiting times Detection dogs and their handlers have also been known to patrol airport security lines to reduce waiting times when going through security, without having to remove their shoes, empty their bags or experience the dreaded pat downs. How are detection dogs trained? Detection dogs learn the basics in between two and four months. Although they’ll undergo testing and retraining throughout their entire careers to make sure their skills remain sharp. Detection dogs are trained to learn a sequence, they would sniff the area, find the substance, sit and get a toy for good behaviour and this would be carried out in the same surroundings as to where they would work. Dog handlers would train alongside the sniffer dogs, learning to watch and lead their canines. Detection dogs are extremely versatile Detection dogs are not only used to sniff out drugs and explosives but can also be used for a number of other operations. The UK Telegraph reported that KLM hired a sniffer dog named Sherlock to help reunite passengers with their lost mobiles and valuables. Items such as mobiles, headphones and toys were attached to the dogs back who then tears through Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in search of their rightful owners. “It’s a lot of fun. Personally, I think he’s a real asset to the company,” says Chantal Kremer, of the airline’s ground services department. “He can really do something no-one else can.”

This new partnership sees A.S.P.’s Canine Explosives Detection Dog (EDD) Teams provide security screening services at eighteen FedEx Cargo premises in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. "We are proud to partner with FedEx Canada in the national roll-out of Canine EDD services, supporting their air cargo facilities across the four provinces. Together we are paving new ground and raising the bar in Canine detection security services for the freight industry” said Trisha Murray, Director, Canine and Resource Planning Operations, A.S.P. Security Services. A.S.P also recently expanded its Canine operations when awarded the contract for the provision of security services to YHZ Gateway Facilities at Halifax International Airport. Trisha Murray goes on to say: “This is our second new contract in Nova Scotia this year and we are thrilled to be expanding our role as an employer in the province. We welcome YHZ Gateway to our client portfolio, which includes Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, Brookfield Properties, The Greater Toronto Airport Authority, The Toronto Blue Jays and iAero Airways services for the NHL to name but a few.” A.S.P provides complete security solutions to the aviation, cargo, commercial, sports, and event industries across Canada and is the leading provider of Canine explosives detection services.

ICTS Italy commenced a new contract with multinational data centres operator, Equinix. ICTS is responsible for securing Equinix’s 5 locations in the Milan region and Genova. Equinix is one of the largest global data centre and colocation provider for enterprise network and cloud computing. “We have started a good business partnership with Equinix in Italy. Our ICTS approach and vision is valued by our client. Our expertise, dedication and flexibility are the key characteristics that we bring to this contract”, said Luca Crevani, Operations Manager, General Security, ICTS Italy.

ACTS Airport Services, Inc., ICTS Europe’s subsidiary in the US, has partnered with the City of Memphis as the selected security provider for Memphis International Airport (MEM). TopImgBut ACTS Selected Security Provider to Memphis International Airport As of May 1, 2023, ACTS officially became MEM's partner in delivering customer service, vehicle gate checkpoints and gate guarding, access control and inspections of vehicles and personnel. ACTS is also responsible for staffing the exit lanes to control access from sterile areas to public areas and conducting perimeter patrols. The ACTS Team has put in a lot of effort to ensure a smooth transition from the incumbent supplier. Sam Juchtman, President ACTS Airport Services, is excited about working with MEM and supporting the evolving needs of the airport. To assist the contract implementation at MEM, ACTS has welcomed an additional 50 security guards, as well as 5 supervisors and 2 managers. Overall, this partnership between ACTS Airport Services, Inc. and Memphis International Airport (MEM) represents a commitment to enhancing safety and security at Memphis Airport and providing excellent customer service to the travellers and staff. This start-up is the 6th airport security contract ACTS Airport Services has been awarded since December 2019 and is consistent with ACTS’ strategy to continue expanding our Airport Services business. RELATED ITEMS Browse related items Previous Next or view all news, articles and blog items All News

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