NSW bushfires: CFA crisis response dog Ember lifts morale at RFS in Sydney
The mood in the room changed instantly when the Country Fire Authority’s cutest recruit bounded into RFS headquarters in Sydney yesterday to deliver a much-needed morale boost to workers during the horror fire season.
NSW
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Ember the Crisis Response Dog is putting the ‘aw’ in paw patrol.
The Country Fire Authority’s cutest recruit paid a special visit to RFS headquarters in Sydney yesterday to deliver cheeky grins, tail wags and a much-needed morale boost to RFS workers during the horror fire season.
Assistant Commissioner and State Operations Controller Rebel Talbert said the mood in the room “changed instantly” the second the four-year-old yellow labrador bounded in.
“It completely changed the atmosphere in the operations room, it was a really calm and joyful vibe,” Assistant Commissioner Talbert said.
“The work that we do at the RFS is very serious and very high pressure. People were smiling and excited that this gorgeous little pup was here, and she brought a nice and calm mood in what’s been a difficult fire season.”
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Ember’s handler, ex-RFS member and leading CFA firefighter Natalie Brindle is visiting Sydney, and brought her pawsome pet to the RFS to spread some joy in the state’s ruff times.
“She’s part of the CFA’s Animal Assistance Crisis Response, and a lot of the work we do is back at fire stations where the fireys defuse and debrief, they’re more willing to participate in peer support if she’s there,” Ms Brindle said.
“(Ember) loves wearing her uniform. She does hospital work and charity events as a therapy dog back home. There’s no scientific way to put it, but she just helps people.”
Despite no furry RFS members as of yet, Ms Talbert said that the organisation was “considering options” like service dogs to help volunteer firefighters debrief and cope with traumatic events.
Originally published as NSW bushfires: CFA crisis response dog Ember lifts morale at RFS in Sydney
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