GRA NOTE: Glad to see they are seeking donations; this equipment must not have been in their decision package for the dog.

Ruff ride: City Fire Department raising money to keep Lucille the arson dog safe while on duty

Department seeking donations for newer vehicle or equipment to outfit current model

Altoona Mirror

Lucille, the Altoona Fire Department’s arson detection dog, sits in the back of handler Justin Smithmyer’s 2016 Interceptor. The department is seeking money to buy a newer vehicle to accommodate crash-protection cages to keep Lucille safe on the job. Courtesy photo

Justin Smithmyer liked his job in the Altoona Fire Department before he became handler for the department’s new arson dog, Lucille.

To ensure that his source of job satisfaction stays safe in her travels with Smithmyer during her expected five or more years of work with him, the department is trying to raise money for a new vehicle that can accommodate the crash-protection cages now easily available — or failing that, to pay for building a custom cage for the SUV Smithmyer currently drives.

Lucille rides in the back seat of that Ford Interceptor in a “sling” setup that provides a flat surface for her that extends from door to door.

But in an accident, flying objects set in motion by impact could injure her, and she could even be thrown, “God forbid,” out of the vehicle, Smithmyer said.

In an accident, a canine cage insert would shield her from flying equipment and from flying out altogether — although not necessarily from a tumble within the cage, he said.

Roll cages that manufacturers are generally keeping in stock nowadays are hard to find for the 2016 Interceptor, Smithmyer said.

So he’d like to get a vehicle that would accept roll cages that are currently available.

That could include Interceptors from 2020 or newer, he said.

Such vehicles would cost about $25,000, he said.

Alternatively, if the department can only raise $12,000 to $15,000, he would look for a manufacturer to create an insert that would work with the old Interceptor, he said.

“We could definitely go that route,” he said.

He does a lot of traveling with Lucille, a 2-year old black Lab.

She’s available for arson detection in 12 counties, from New York state, south into Maryland, Smithmyer said.

She’s also available for demonstrations of olfactory prowess at schools and businesses.

The fundraising effort began six weeks ago with letters to businesses and other organizations in Blair County, and notices on social media and the news.

The department has raised about $2,700 so far.

The department appreciates donations of any size, he said.

Those willing to help can call the Altoona Fire Department office at 814-949-2230 and talk to Arlene, Smithmyer said.

Checks can be mailed to the Altoona Fire Department, 1319 Washington Ave., Altoona PA 16601, he said, making them payable to The City of Altoona, and writing Arson K9 Donation on the note line.

And they can also vote for K-9 Lucille in the Aftermath K-9 Grant contest.