RAPID CITY, SD – There are some big shoes – or rather paws – to fill at the Rapid City Fire Department.
Cisco, the first dog to be employed by the department will be retiring Friday (June 25) as a result of deteriorating health following a seven year career with RCFD.
RCFD public information officer Tessa Jaeger says don’t underestimate Cisco’s contributions to fire crews.
“Cisco is amazing,” shares Jaeger. “He’s a ‘live-find’ canine. What that means is that he doesn’t need an article of clothing to search and he is certified to find live victims. If he’s doing a building collapse or a shore or wildland search, he’s out there looking for live victims.
In fact, Cisco is currently the only dog with such certifications in South Dakota, a role that led him to all corners of the state.
“He’s done some pretty amazing things,” says Jaeger. “He has been called out to a building collapse in Sioux Falls, in the search for missing youth Serenity Dennard and for people lost in the Badlands.”
Jaeger said with his health, Cisco has earned a comfortable retirement with his handler, Jeremy Gibbons.
“We are retiring him a year earlier than planned. He’s not doing so good and is health is deteriorating. Cisco was our first dog as a member of our department. We’ve been planning his retirement party. We’ll get him his own ‘doggie treat’ cake.”
Jaeger said the search is underway for a new dog to fill Cisco’s role.
