Heroic K9 Team from Cy-Fair Fire Department Joins Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts
Denise Corliss, a dedicated member of the Cy-Fair Fire Department, has been at the forefront of recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Helene, accompanied by her live-find K9, Rennes, and Human Remains Detection K9, Finn. As they prepare to redeploy to Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton, their work has drawn significant attention and gratitude from local communities affected by the catastrophic storm.
Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane two weeks ago, causing widespread devastation across six states and resulting in over 225 fatalities. Many residents are still grappling with recovery; in North Carolina alone, over 100,000 people remain without power. Corliss and her team were initially deployed to Florida to assist with search and rescue missions, then moved to Georgia and North Carolina, navigating challenging conditions without access to cell service, power, or water.
“We couldn’t be more proud of Denise Corliss and her live-find K9, Rennes, as they continue their deployment with Texas Task Force 1,” stated the Cy-Fair Fire Department. The Texas Task Force Foundation, a nonprofit organization, plays a vital role in supporting teams like Texas Task Force 1, ensuring they have the resources needed for effective disaster response. The team has been instrumental in conducting damage assessments and providing support to local residents affected by Hurricane Helene, who have expressed deep appreciation for their efforts.
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On October 2, Finn joined the team as FEMA brought in additional resources to enhance their capabilities. The team’s hard work has not gone unnoticed. “The team has been working hard on damage assessments, helping local residents who have been incredibly grateful,” the department noted.
Corliss’s experience in emergency services spans over 20 years, during which she has deployed over 40 times to notable events, including the 9/11 attacks, Hurricanes Katrina and Harvey, and the West Texas chemical plant explosion. She is not only a canine handler and firefighter with the Cy-Fair Fire Department, but also serves as a canine evaluator and instructor for FEMA. Her commitment to her work is deeply rooted in her background with her former K9 partner, Bretagne, a Golden Retriever who famously assisted in search-and-rescue efforts at Ground Zero.
Denise began training Bretagne at just eight weeks old, and their first assignment together was at Ground Zero in 2001, where they spent 10 days searching for survivors. Bretagne, believed to be the last surviving dog from the 9/11 response, passed away in 2016 at the tender age of 16. The emotional farewell she received from firefighters and rescue workers highlighted the bond shared between working dogs and their handlers.
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Corliss with her K9s during Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. (Source: Cy-Fair Fire Department) |
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As Hurricane Milton approaches, projected to make landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Corliss, Rennes, and Finn are prepared to face new challenges. Reaching Category 5 status with maximum wind speeds of 180 mph, Milton is now a Category 4 storm expected to bring significant storm surges to Florida's Gulf Coast, potentially being one of the worst storms to hit the region in a century.
“As Denise, Rennes, and Finn redeploy to Florida for Hurricane Milton, we stand behind them with immense pride,” the Cy-Fair Fire Department emphasized.
In these challenging times, the courage and selfless service of first responders like Denise Corliss and her K9s, Rennes and Finn, provide hope and inspiration to those grappling with the aftermath of these disasters.
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.
