New Hanover firefighters call for Crisis Response K-9 Program to continue

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A local firefighter’s union is expressing their concerns about the ending of a special K-9 program. 

The New Hanover County Professional Firefighters Association posted on Facebook, that the county is doing away with plans to implement its Crisis Response K-9 Program. 

In a two-page letter, the union called on County Manager Chris Coudriet to move forward with the program. 

The initiative is a collaboration with Paws for People and was intended as a way to support firefighters’ mental health by providing them with trained K-9 companions. 

Until now, union members would have volunteered to serve as handlers, but now the county said handlers must work full time if the department wants the program to continue. 

The county sent WWAY a statement about the program being put on pause that reads:  

“New Hanover County supports the Crisis Response K9 Program for our Fire Rescue team and has evaluated its long-term feasibility. To ensure full coverage—delivering comprehensive benefits across all shifts and areas—the program requires a full cadre of resources, including multiple dogs and handlers. In the absence of that, until a primary handler with a full-time, multi-shift schedule is secured, the program remains on hold. Alternatively, if the full set of resources needed—six dogs and handlers—is provided, the program can be implemented as intended. We appreciate our Fire Rescue team’s dedication and will continue evaluating all options to provide support, including mental health resources, for our firefighters.”