Every Dog Has Its Day (Meeting 1)

The Tampa City Council Meeting held on March 11th began as usual with roll call, an invocation and The Pledge of Allegiance. But then I looked in the front corner of the room and saw a tail wagging. That's when it was announced that two firefighter paramedics from Tampa Fire Rescue would be receiving commendations today.

Lt. Roger Picard and Lt. Brian Smithey both responded to Haiti immediately after a 7.0 earthquake rocked Port-au-Prince, the nation's capital, back in January. But they didn't go alone. Party Girl, Powder, Cinder and Doak, all four of whom are trained fire rescue dogs, accompanied them on their mission. Picard and Smithey, along with their helpful companions, were a part of a 10 day effort that saved seven lives in Port-au-Prince.

Lt. Smithey spoke to the council and said that he gives the credit to his canines for bringing those seven people out of the rubble and back to their families. "It was a privilege to represent Tampa, the state of Florida and the United States down in Haiti," said Smithey. Although Smithey was brief in his statement, his partner had a rather compelling tale to tell.

Lt. Picard began by telling the council that his recount of the events that occurred in Haiti would not be read from a script, but like his heroic actions, would come from the heart. Picard recalls being taken to a Caribbean market around 9am. The collapsed edifice had been five stories high and it was reported that five people may still be trapped inside. Thousands of pounds of rubble stood between the team and the victims. Picard was in the basement of the building when he saw a hole in the ceiling about 25 feet above him. He and Party Girl climbed a ladder and it was there that he heard something that made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. The voice from above sounded like an angel to Picard. It was a 7 year-old girl who was crying out for help. The girl was rescued, along with four others from that same building.

When Picard and Smithey returned home from Haiti, they were honored at a ceremony at Tampa's Fire Station No. 1. Mayor Pam Iorio told the men that they made her proud to be the mayor of Tampa. But missions like these are nothing new to Picard and Smithey. Both were at Ground Zero after the Twin Towers were hit on 9/11 and both responded to several hurricanes that struck the Gulf Coast. Despite his experience, however, Picard believes that this was his proudest moment. "There has been no greater time ever in my 31 years as a firefighter paramedic that I have been so proud to represent the city of Tampa."

Picard and Smithey received plaques for their efforts and were congratulated and thanked by the entire council, but the dogs weren't forgotten. Party Girl could not contain herself as she jumped for joy when she was handed a gigantic dog bone from her trainer, Lt. Picard. The commendations and the dog bones that were given are just another great reminder of the old saying: every dog has its day.

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