WASHINGTON, April 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The Transportation SecurityAdministration (TSA) announced today the graduation of 12 new members of itsNational Explosives Detection Canine Team Program (NEDCTP). The teams will beassigned to mass transit systems in Washington D.C. (Washington MetropolitanArea Transit Authority); San Francisco (Bay Area Rapid Transit); Los Angeles ( Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority); and San Diego ( SanDiego Trolley, Inc.); and airports in Norfolk , Va., El Paso , Texas, Tucson ,Ariz., Waianae, Hawaii and Milwaukee , Wis.

"The graduation of these 12 teams represents a major milestone," said DaveKontny, NEDCTP's Director. "We now have approximately 400 canine teams fromcoast-to-coast, in both mass transit and aviation. We look forward tocontinuing our partnership with local law enforcement in this importantprogram."

During training, officers were provided instruction on handler skills,explosives safety, and safe handling and accountability of explosives caninetraining aids. They also spent much of their time searching for explosives inspecialized indoor and outdoor training labs that included an aircraftfuselage, a terminal area, and a cargo warehouse. The teams also practicedsearching luggage and a parking lot filled with cars, trucks, vans and buses.

Once the teams return to their airports and mass transit systems, theywill undergo several hours of proficiency training each week that includes allthe sights, sounds and distractions associated with these busy environments.Within the next few months, the teams will also undergo a rigorous on-sitecertification process. To ensure they maintain a high level of proficiency,the handlers and their dogs are re-certified annually in a stringent, three-to-four-day process.

TSA-certified explosives detection canine teams are stationed at more than70 of the nation's largest airports and 10 of the nation's largest masstransit systems. Because canine teams combine excellent mobility withreliable detection rates, their use today has evolved to include searchingareas in response to bomb threats at airports and mass transit terminals, andaircraft, trains, luggage, cargo and vehicles, as well as serving as a provendeterrent to would-be terrorists.

The NEDCTP is a cooperative partnership with participating airports andmass transit systems. TSA procures and trains the canines, provides in-depthtraining for the handlers, and partially reimburses the participating agencyfor costs associated with the teams, such as salaries, overtime, canine foodand veterinary care. TSA-certified canine teams reflect the core values ofthe Department of Homeland Security -- providing first responders with theright tools, technical assistance and funding to protect our nation'stransportation systems.

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