The Bossier City Fire Department's new K-9 Search and Rescue Team has received a generous donation from a local trucking firm.

Chris Gorman, Executive Vice President of Tango Transport today initially presented a check for $1000 to the team at Fire Station 6 on Riverside Drive. The money will be used to fund veterinary costs, food and other supplies for the team. Upon seeing one of the K-9's in action during a demonstration following the check presentation, the company presented a second check to the team for another $1000 putting the total donation from Tango Transport at $2000.

The BCFD K-9 Search and Rescue Team consists of Duke, a two-year old black Labrador Retriever, and handler Ashton Poole and Aspen, a one-year old Golden Retriever, and handler Kevin Bragg. Firefighters Poole and Bragg initiated the process of forming the team in late 2009 and purchased their dogs through private donations. They eventually raised enough fund to train Duke and Aspen in a number of search and rescue disciplines. The K-9's have been going through that training over the past several months. The team's national certification will be finalized next month and will make it ready to assist the Bossier City Fire Department and other local emergency response agencies with search and rescue calls in various environments including water and wooded areas. The team will also be able to assist in locating missing persons and human remains.

The team operates on private donations under non-profit status. Donations can be made by calling Kevin Bragg at (318) 349-2080.

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Chris Gorman-Executive V.P. Tango Transport, Kevin Bragg, Duke, Ashton Poole and Capt. David Lamoine.