MSA Security Announces 500th Active Windsor Canine Team
Explosive Detection Canine and Handler Enter the Field After Completing State-of-the-Art Training
Jul 30, 2018, 08:30 ET
NEW YORK, July 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- MSA Security ("MSA"), a global high consequence threat security firm, today announced that it has graduated the 500th canine-handler team from its Windsor Program. MSA's Windsor Training features a sophisticated selection, training and pairing methodology, matching each handler to a designated canine to form an exclusive Windsor Team. The Windsor Program is the largest of its kind with a robust presence throughout the country and a significant global footprint.
"The lifetime canine-handler partnership is a staple of the Windsor Program at MSA. We rely on a rigorous selection process which pairs athletic, sporting breeds with handlers possessing a law enforcement or military background. Windsor Teams are rigorously trained for the single purpose of identifying explosive odors," says Michael Wynn, Director of Canine Training at MSA Security. "Our program is the only one in the nation to train canines on all five classes of explosives, plus homemade explosives frequently used by terrorists. We are committed to deploying the most effective explosive detection teams in the industry, and constantly refine our regimen to keep up with current threats. Once deployed, Windsor Teams are required to conduct independent daily sustainment training and undergo bi-monthly supervisory training, semi-annual training at a regional facility, and annual certification by an independent evaluator."
MSA's 500th Windsor Canine Team includes Tanner Grutz, a veteran of the United States Air Force, and Sylvia, a one year old yellow lab, who came to MSA from the Guide Dog Foundation. During his Air Force service, Mr. Grutz attended the Military Working Dog School and served as a Kennel Master and Supervisor. He also worked as a trainer for the Diabetic Alert Dogs of America program.
"We are extremely proud of our recruitment, training and retention of the highest caliber handlers and canines, including Tanner and Sylvia. We are confident they will exemplify MSA's extraordinary performance standards and professionalism while deployed at client sites," said Glen Kucera, CEO of MSA Security. "With 500 Windsor Teams in the field, and another 37 in the training pipeline, MSA is the largest private provider of Explosive Detection Canine teams in the security field. The remarkable demand we experience speaks to the significance of canines as a critical tool in the explosive detection field, and reveals that Windsor Canines are trusted among business leaders across many sectors. We are fully equipped to meet that rising demand in every industry including air cargo, sports and entertainment, building management and public transportation."
MSA Security received the very first DHS SAFETY Act Certification award in 2004 and is the only company to have maintained the highest level of certification consistently for 12 years. MSA Security conducts its Windsor Training Program at training facilities in Windsor, Connecticut and in regional facilities throughout the country.
About MSA Security
Founded in 1987, MSA Security is a global security firm with more than 30 years of experience protecting enterprise-level facilities from high consequence threats. MSA is headquartered in New York City and has over 1,000 employees—including 500 explosive detection canine teams—operating in 42 states and 30 countries. The firm offers a range of customizable solutions, including explosive detection, protective services, intelligence, investigations and consulting. For more information, visit msasecurity.net.
SOURCE MSA Security