Fire Investigation Search Dog Handler Colin Davis with Woodie.
“It’s the best job in the world.”
Those are the words of Colin Davis, the Service’s Fire Investigation Search Dog Handler, and Divisional Manager.
Based at Bishop Auckland Fire Station, he’s responsible for our four-legged heroes, Woodie and Twix, who attend incidents where arson is suspected.
Colin’s close bond with Woodie started in 2018 when he was given the special opportunity to foster the Services’ fire dog for three months.
However, those three months working with Woodie has now turned into six years! During that time, Colin has also welcomed Twix into the fire family.
“I was asked to foster Woodie, our Fire Investigation Search Dog, for three months due to unexpected circumstances,” Colin said.
“Six years later and Woodie is still with me! We are now joined by Twix, who is also a Fire Investigation Search Dog.
“I have the fantastic role of assisting our Fire Investigation Officers with both Woodie and Twix at incidents where arson is suspected.
“It is the best job in the world.
“All three of us are based at Bishop Auckland Fire Station and hopefully, I will stay here until the day comes for me to retire.”
Colin grew up in Peterborough and started his career aged 16 when he joined the Army in Royal Corps of Signals.
During his service in the Armed Forces, Colin spent time in Germany working with the RAF to provide battlefield communications for Harrier Jump Jets.
He went on to be part of the ‘Royal Signals White Helmets Motorcycle Display Team’ where he spent four years putting on displays at events across Europe.
In 1999, Colin joined CDDFRS as a Firefighter and was initially based at Newton Aycliffe.
He became a Service Training Instructor in 2003 before taking up a secondment with the National Fire Service College in 2007 where he worked as a Station Manager in the Cotswolds.
Later that year, he was promoted to Group Manager at the Fire Service College and took on the Head of Specialist Operations role.
Colin returned to CDDFRS as a District Manager four years later before he was offered the opportunity of a lifetime working with fire dog Woodie.
The best thing about his job?
“The dogs and the people I get to spend time with every day,” Colin said.
“It isn’t like coming to work because the fantastic people I work alongside make my job a pleasure.
“I love the Bishop Auckland area, the people who live and work here are great, and it really doesn’t feel like a job.”
Outside of work, Colin enjoys spending time on the Northumberland coast with his partner, Jaclyn, her sons, Hugo, and Finn - and, of course, Woodie and Twix!
