Team Info
Task Force: New York Task Force 2 (NY-TF2)
Agency: New York State Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services Office of Fire Prevention and Control (NYS DHSES)
Level: Certified
Search Dog Info
Breed: Malinois
Sex: Male
Born: June 27, 2016
Recruited from: City of Tracy Animal Services
Recruited by: Kirsten Fulk
Sponsored by: The Joel and Dena Gambord Charitable Foundation
Firefighter Adam Leckonby has worked with New York State Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services Office of Fire Prevention and Control (NYS DHSES) based in Albany, New York since 2012 and has been a firefighter since 1998. After helping with SDF’s Iron Dog Competition in 2012, he knew he wanted to transfer into Special Operations with a Search Dog.
Luka was picked up as a stray by animal control with the Tracy Police Department in Tracy, CA. He was adopted several times but returned each time to the shelter because he was “too much dog” for the average family to handle. Finally, SDF Canine Recruiter Kirsten Fulk came upon Luka and recognized that he also had the personality traits that make for a great Search Dog.
Since first achieving certification in 2019, which allows them to deploy with their New York Task Force 2 teammates, Adam & Luka have deployed on the following missions:
- September 3, 2019 – Hurricane Dorian – North Carolina
- April 7, 2020 – Missing Person Search – Rotterdam, NY
- July 25, 2020 – Missing Person Search – Hoosick Falls, NY
- September 6, 2020 – Missing Person Search – Blenheim, NY
- February 21, 2021 – Missing Person Search – Castleton, NY
- June 24, 2021 – Missing Person Search – Sprakers, NY
- August 21, 2021 – Hurricane Henri pre-staging – Long Island, NY
- March 1, 2022 – Missing Person Search – Bethlehem, NY
- July 10, 2022 – Missing Person Search – Washington County, NY
- July 12, 2022 – Structure Collapse – Greenwich, NY
- January 25, 2023 – Missing Person Search – Middleport, NY
- September 15, 2023 – Missing Person Search – Amsterdam, NY
- April 3, 2024 – Building Collapse – Dover, NY
- June 18, 2024 – Building Explosion – Syracuse, NY
The team achieved re-certification in October 2021 and May 2024, proving their skills were still sharp and up to par. They continue to train regularly with their task force in preparation for the next call!