Children asked to help find fire dog codename

IN training . . . new recruit Eric (left) with outgoing fire dog Cracker

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SCHOOL pupils across Oldham have been tasked with finding a name for Manchester fire service's newest recruit.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has asked for help in giving Eric the 17-month-old black Labrador a codename.

Eric has taken over from fire dog Cracker who will pass on her dog collar next week after 10 years with the service.

Fire dogs are put through several months of intensive training to ensure they are the best they can be when working in all kinds of situations.

Dog Unit manager Mike Dewar said: "Eric is going to work really well as he has so much energy ­- which is exactly what you want from a fire investigation dog.

"Cracker has been showing him the ropes and he's going to be an excellent replacement, and keep up the tradition of high quality dogs that Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service provide to the region."

Eric has been working with the team since December, 2016, undergoing motivation and obedience training to enable him to work at his best on a fire scene.

A video showing Eric in action can be seen at oldham-chronicle.co.uk.

Fire investigator Jonathan Stewart said: "Eric is feisty. He is going to work the scenes really quickly and that is the kind of attribute you need from a fire investigation dog. I think he is going to be a real asset to the team."

Primary schools county-wide are asked to enter by Friday, March 3, with the winner being announced shortly after on Twitter @ManchesterFire.

Send entries to namethedog@manchesterfire.gov.uk.