Cosumnes Fire Department welcomes first certified canine rescuer, Ruffles

Captain Justin Quarisa is Ruffles’ partner, according to the Cosumnes Community Services District. Ruffles will help strengthen disaster response across the Sacramento region.

CCSD said the two will deploy with the Sacramento Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 7, a FEMA-affiliated team managed by the Sacramento Fire Department. They respond to major emergencies across California and the nation, from earthquakes and building collapses to wide-area searches.

According to CCSD, Quarisa has served with Cosumnes Fire since 2004 and has been with Task Force 7 for a decade. He trained with Ruffles in Southern California through the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, a nonprofit that rescues high-energy dogs from shelters and trains them to be disaster search dogs at no cost to their respective fire departments.

Ruffles is a 2.5-year-old Australian Heeler who was rescued from a Texas shelter, CCSD explained.

“She’s focused, driven, and always ready to work,” Captain Quarisa said. “From the beginning, she stood out in training and flew through the program. Plus, everyone who meets her loves her.”

Captain Quarisa also praised SDF as a nonprofit that makes a real difference by rescuing dogs and strengthening emergency response in communities across the country.

“They give dogs a second chance and turn them into lifesaving partners,” he explained. “Having a certified canine team in our department is rare, and it brings real value to our community.”

Cosumnes Fire joins an elite group of agencies nationwide with Ruffle’s certification, CCSD said.

“As an all-risk fire agency, we’re constantly evolving to meet the needs of our community and region,” Fire Chief Felipe Rodriguez explained. “This new capability adds depth to our emergency response locally and where we’re called to help.”