Red's Year in Review

2012 has marked a successful end for New Lenox Fire Protection District's Search and rescue bloodhound, Red.

Many residents have met, or at least read about the big hound.  Red was donated by Chicagoland Dog Rescue owner, Kym Johnson in August 2011.  After getting acquainted in his new home, the work began.  "If we were going to have a dog in the firehouse, he has to go to work just like everyone else" stated Fire Chief Jon Mead.  Red began training exercises with Cook County and Joliet police, along with his two handlers, FF/Paramedics Greg Gaj and Frank Hasik.  In April, Red was officially sworn in as a New Lenox Firefighter, even putting his paw print on the declaration.  In May, Red and his two handlers went to Salamanca, New York to train and become nationally certified with the National Police Bloodhound Association, only two other fire department search and rescue bloodhounds have this honor.  Red and his handlers had to go through double the amount of trails and 40 hours of training in four days to be nationally certified.

Since then, Red has been a very busy three year old pup.  He has been on 12 calls since his trip back from New York.  Red has helped search for lost persons, injured persons, and even helping police departments search for fugitives.  He has helped work with five police departments both in New Lenox and neighboring communities and 7 neighboring fire departments.

Red has also been very fortunate to receive quite the welcome from the New Lenox community.  He has been the object of two large fundraisers, one from Chilli's Restaurant in May and one in June for Macy's department stores.  Both fundraisers were to help Red with needed equipment and continued training.  During the Chili's fundraiser, two local residents, Hal and Vicki Harrington donated the funds for Red's bullet proof vest.  The couple donates a vest each year to a working dog in Illinois.  They read about the fire district's newest addition and attended the fundraiser to meet him.  "The fire district was extremely thankful for the generous donation", states Chief Mead, "the outpouring support from the community has been overwhelming and fantastic".

Red has visited a number of New Lenox schools and even went to greet the seniors at Encore Senior Living (previously Paradise Park) several times.  In fact, Red has attended 17 events in New Lenox this past year.  He resides at Fire Station Four, even having his own bed in the bunk room with the firefighters.  They state Red snores the loudest, but when the tones go off, he knows it's time to go in his cage and heads right to it.  He is very protective of his home and fellow firefighters, but his favorite thing to do is sleep!  He trains daily with his crews at the station and twice a month with Cook County and Joliet police instructors.  Red has trained over 250 hours in the last year, so if you have a chance, stop in at fire station four and see Red the rescue dog!