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Local Search Expert, Dog Headed To Hurricane Zone

News Channel 8 photo by CHRIS COYNER

Tampa Fire Rescue Lt. Roger Picard, a canine search and rescue specialist, and his partner Cinder are ready to go to wherever Hurricane Ike strikes.

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By RAY REYES and CHRIS COYNER

The Tampa Tribune and News Channel 8

Published: September 11, 2008

TAMPA - A veteran search and rescue specialist reported to a Tampa fire station Thursday evening on his way to wherever Hurricane Ike makes landfall. He brought with him supplies to last 14 days and a friendly, panting black Labrador retriever named Cinder.

"She's one of the best search dogs in the country," Lt. Roger Picard of Tampa Fire Rescue said of the 5-year-old female Labrador. "This dog is all business. Nothing will stop her. She makes my job very easy."

For at least the next six days Picard expects his duties to be a challenge - he and Cinder were being deployed to Louisiana on Thursday night, in anticipation of Hurricane Ike making landfall on the Texas coast.

Picard traveled with 80 members of a federal disaster team based out of Miami for the 20-hour drive to Louisiana. Picard said he expects to work 12-hour days in areas hardest hit by Ike. Picard and Cinder's deployment could be as long as 14 days.

The Ike search and rescue mission is Cinder's first big operation, said Picard, who was deployed to New York City after the Sept. 11 attacks as well as areas devastated by hurricanes Katrina and Charley.

Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 259-7920 or rreyes@tampatrib.com.

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