A dog with purpose: Blitz brings comfort to Folsom Fire Department

Members of the Folsom Fire Department and the community gathered Tuesday morning at Folsom Fire Station 39 to welcome a new member to the department that doesn't bring a wealth of firefighting experience with him. In fact, he is only 15 weeks old, very hairy and has four legs. He goes by the single name of "Blitz" and he's the first comfort dog to join the department since it was formed in 1857. His role won't be to perform rescues but rather to provide emotional support to members of the department. "Firefighters typically work 48-hour shifts and are exposed to many traumatic events from medical incidents, wildfires, structure fires and vehicle accidents," said Folsom Fire Chief Ken Cusano. "They are also away from their families and loved ones for extended periods of time, which can take a toll on their mental health. Blitz is the first Folsom Fire Department dog assigned to provide emotional support for our staff." Currently in therapy dog training, Blitz is a curly-haired labradoodle that came to the department through the work of local nonprofit Hearts 4 Heroes USA. According to Cusano, the pooch will eventually become an official member of the Folsom Fire Department's Peer Support Team that comes together all in the name of mental and emotional health, something that affects many first responders. "Blitz will help provide temporary relief from stress or anxiety that any of our staff is experiencing on a day-to-day basis. We have to do whatever we can to promote our members' overall health," said Cusano. Although still in training, Blitz is already keeping spirits up around the Folsom Fire Department. Assistant Chief Mark Piacentini is currently the member of the department who spends the most time with Blitz. Piacentini brings him to work each day, takes him home at night and makes sure he gets a ride when there is a call. "He is already keeping spirits high around here, he is a positive distraction to everyone and that is exactly what his purpose is," said Piacentini. Piacentini noted that Blitz is already doing his job of "checking on everyone" in the department on a daily basis. "Whenever we take him outside the station to go to the bathroom, as he comes back inside the building, he will go to every office in the building and greet everyone," he said. "That's really exactly what he is meant to do. How can you not feel positive when this guy walks in the room?" On a more serious note, Piacentini shared how Blitz, even though he is a rookie, has already played a positive role when it comes to a serious incident. When last week's fatal accident at the Rainbow Bridge occurred, Blitz was brought in to pick up the spirits of those first responders who made the discovery, helping with the emotions that come in such instances. "That was a really tough one for everyone who responded; any fatal or major injury accident takes its toll on them," said. "That's where Blitz can really help emotionally, it takes their mind off what they witnessed and experienced. It can be an accident, a fire where someone has suffered tremendous loss. All of it takes a toll on them emotionally." Blitz came to the department, courtesy of Hearts 4 Heroes USA, Pay Platoon Placement Program. The local nonprofit was the brainchild of ShelleyMartell and her husband, Bruce, a first responder himself. The organization focuses on first responders and their families in a number of ways. A goal for nearly five years, the addition of Blitz is one of the organization's most recognized efforts yet as they set out with a goal to bring the program to life. The puppy was donated by the parents of a young man who went through a major injury, giving them first-hand insight of the day-to-day role first responders withhold. "It really is special for us to be able to engage with our first responders and help them with their health and wellness," said Martell. "My husband is a first responder as well and we have been working the last few years to integrate therapy dogs into our program. We just really want to help bring their stress level down and make it easier for all of our heroes on the line. We are very thankful to be able to partner with Folsom and bring a dog into their life." According to Piacentinii, Blitz is "two different dogs" between his time at the station and his time at home. During the day is work time and at night is playtime. "When I take him home, he gets wild and crazy playing with our other dogs. He returns with me in the morning and it's work time, which I really like. It's amazing the effect he has here already; there is instant stress relief when we return from a call. He is very well-received already." Piaccenti said in addition to emotional support, Blitz will eventually play a role in public education and awareness with the department too. Harts 4 Heroes USA is putting the finishing touches on their website, which will be www.hearts4heroesusa.com and is expected to be active very soon. You can learn more about them by searching on Instagram and Facebook as well.