Douglas County Firefighter & Paramedic Make Dramatic Rescue to Save Family Pet
Douglas County, GA – A Douglas County, Georgia firefighter, and paramedic are being hailed as heroes this morning for their actions on the scene of a house fire that occurred on Tuesday, January 10, 2023. “Heavy smoke was billowing from the basement of the single-family home in the 6,000 block of Sequoia Lane, Douglasville, GA, when emergency units first arrived,” Fire Chief Roderick B. Jolivette said. “Family members could escape the burning home unharmed and dialed 9-1-1.”
A short time later, family members realized the family pet, “Knala” was missing and notified one of the first firefighters on the scene, Keith Brown, who told his commanding supervisor. “Be advised, the homeowner just advised me and SO (Sheriff’s Office) there is a dog on the second division of the house on fire,” Brown said via radio transmission. The step-by-step communication of the event was captured on the firefighter’s radios.
• “We do have a K-9 on the second floor.” – Deputy Fire Chief Allen
• “Roger that. They are going to look as soon as they can.” – Battalion Chief Shadix
• “10-4, the door is open in the room that he’s in, so we swept the room that he’s in and the second floor also.” – Deputy Fire Chief Miles Allen
• “How big a dog are we talking about?” – Battalion Chief Rusty Shadix
• “Medium size pit.” – Deputy Fire Chief Miles Allen
• “Clear, Division 2, Squad 10, look for the dog, Division 2,” Battalion Chief Shadix
• “Command, the dog has been located on the way out with it.” – Captain Daniel Callan
“Special thanks should go to all the firefighters and paramedics who braved the fire to save that family pet who is with us today,” Dr. Romona Jackson Jones, Chairwoman of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners. “Special appreciation should go to all the dedicated men and women for how they responded that evening. This family will never forget.”
The cause of the fire is being investigated, and as of now, it appears to be accidental.