Cy-Fair Fire Department K9 Team Deploys to Hill Country Flood Disaster: Denise Corliss and K9 Finn Aid in Critical Search and Recovery
As Texas reels from the catastrophic flooding that swept through the Hill Country over the July 4th weekend, one of Cy-Fair’s own is answering the call in a solemn and courageous way.
Denise Corliss, a veteran firefighter and canine handler with the Cy-Fair Fire Department, is on the ground in the Hill Country alongside her Human Remains Detection K9, Finn, providing vital support in ongoing search and recovery efforts. Their deployment comes amid one of the deadliest natural disasters in the state’s history, with at least 118 confirmed fatalities and more than 180 individuals still missing statewide, according to the latest reports.
The July 4th weekend brought historic flooding to Central Texas, triggered by a stalled weather system intensified by remnants of Tropical Storm Barry. More than 20 inches of rain fell in less than 24 hours, causing the Guadalupe River to surge 26 feet in just 45 minutes.
Kerr County was among the hardest hit, where floodwaters devastated Camp Mystic—a century-old Christian girls' camp in Hunt—killing 27 campers and counselors and leaving several others still unaccounted for. In response, more than 2,200 state personnel, as well as federal personnel from FEMA and other supporting agencies, have been deployed across the region, including Cy-Fair’s Denise Corliss and her Human Remains Detection K9, Finn, whose quiet, critical work is helping bring closure to grieving families.
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In a July 7 post, the Cy-Fair Fire Department shared, “Finn and her handler, Cy-Fair Fire Department’s own Denise Corliss, are on the ground in the Hill Country supporting search operations after the devastating floods. Their work is quiet, focused, and incredibly important. We’re proud to see one of our own answering the call.”
This isn’t the first time Corliss has stepped into a disaster zone with a dog by her side. With over two decades of experience in emergency response, she has deployed more than 40 times to some of the country’s most high-profile disasters—including 9/11, Hurricanes Katrina and Harvey, and the West Texas chemical explosion.
But for those familiar with Corliss’s legacy, the mention of a dog like Finn brings another name to mind: Bretagne, the Golden Retriever who became a national symbol of resilience after her work at Ground Zero in 2001. Corliss began training Bretagne at just eight weeks old. Together, they served for a decade and formed a bond that transcended the call of duty.
Bretagne was honored as the last surviving 9/11 search dog when she passed in 2016 at age 16. Today, Bretagne’s legacy lives on in bronze—memorialized by the Bretagne Corliss Monument, a life-sized statue standing just outside Cy-Fair Fire Department Station 7 in Cypress, where she and Denise trained and served together for years.
Finn, a Human Remains Detection K9 with the Cy-Fair Fire Department, searches through flood debris in Finn, a K9 trained specifically for human remains detection, continues that powerful legacy today.
In a recent deployment following Hurricane Helene, Corliss and Finn answered the call once again, joining search and recovery efforts across multiple states impacted by the storm. Corliss’s professionalism and resolve stood out even amid harsh conditions: no power, no water, no cell service—only mission. While her live-find K9, Rennes, served in that disaster response, it was Finn who joined the team in Georgia and North Carolina when FEMA expanded its resources. Together, they offered comfort and closure to families desperate for answers.
Now, in the rugged terrain of the Hill Country—where search crews must navigate debris-laden waters, remote ravines, and unstable infrastructure—Finn’s quiet work is once again pivotal.
These specialized K9 teams are part of Texas Task Force 1, a highly respected FEMA Urban Search and Rescue unit supported by the Texas Task Force Foundation. The nonprofit helps ensure that first responders like Corliss have access to the training and tools they need to respond to crises with skill and compassion.
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As recovery operations continue in Central Texas, officials emphasize that while clear skies are offering some relief, the scope of devastation remains vast, and recovery efforts are expected to stretch on for weeks.
But through it all, responders like Denise Corliss and Finn are undeterred.
Their presence reminds us of the human (and canine) faces behind these recovery missions—people who quietly step into tragedy, carrying not just tools and training, but grace and courage.
For residents of Cy-Fair, pride in her mission fills the community. And for families in the Hill Country, the service of this remarkable duo may bring something even more profound: answers, and a path toward healing.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
