Junction City firefighters have received a donation of animal water rescue gear from the Friends of K9 Vest Midwest organization. Spokesperson Emily Fawcett listed a number of items. "We've got crates, snare poles, gloves, leashes, life jackets, first aid kits, basically anything that these guys are going to need to go into a natural disaster and save animals that are in crisis and in need."
Fawcett said they raise funds and receive donations who would like to help. The organization also works to get ballistic vests and supplies needed by K9's.
Jason Lankas, Interim Fire Chief, said the neat thing are the crates received by the Fire Department. "We went to a water rescue training and you use a crate when a dog is in the water for natural disasters or flooding. Lankas noted in those situations animals feel safer when they're put in a crate. That gets them out of their dangerous situation. "This equipment that she donated is awesome. It's going to help us a lot with our task force and water rescue team." The donation has an overall value worth thousands of dollars.