Heartwarming cat rescue tales usually contain a feline being scooped up from some nefarious or harmful scenario and occurring to dwell a relaxed and contented life in a home perpetually house. However in some circumstances, these kitties in want find yourself taking over a much more energetic and concerned function at their new digs — like changing into an area fireplace station’s resident cat.
Together with growing the morale of the squad, the function of a firehouse cat is an esteemed place that includes letting pesky vermin know to remain nicely away from fireplace division headquarters. As a salute to these cats who’ve chosen to tackle a life devoted to public service, let’s meet a revered quartet of intrepid firehouse felines.
Flame
Essentially the most well-known firehouse cat, Flame was initially found when employees on the Belmont Hearth Division in Greenville, South Carolina, heard a stream of steady meows coming from behind the station. After a fast investigation, they found “a small, malnourished cat hunkered down within the grass,” as fireplace engineer Jordan Lide advised the Cat Daddies documentary final yr.
Duly rescued, Flame, referred to as “The Arson Cat,” shortly took to life because the station’s resident feline — and employees even observed how the assured ginger kitty really appeared to decrease the collective stress ranges of the crew. Though, let’s diplomatically gloss over a subsequent incident the place the inquisitive Flame managed to get himself caught inside a 12-inch storm drain working under the firehouse’s parking zone.
Scout
Scout is a plucky tortoiseshell who has develop into a beloved fixture of the Ladder 7 firehouse in New York Metropolis. Initially saying herself on social media again in 2019 by posing for a selfie in a knitted pink firefighter’s hat, Scout has since gone on to take accountability for the firehouse’s Engine 16. Naturally, on Scout’s watch, correct fireplace truck upkeep appears to very a lot contain napping on the car.
Sadly, Scout precipitated a scare in March of 2021, when she appeared to go lacking from the firehouse. Fortunately she was efficiently discovered and has been in a position to return to her duties as a proud firecat.
Burkey
Positioned within the Wissinoming neighborhood of Northeast Philadelphia, Engine 52 homes a cocksure gray-and-white firehouse cat named Burkey. Together with making each day spot checks on the hearth crew’s engine, Burkey has been entrusted with official vermin management obligations in a bid to maintain the firehouse sanitary. As a current caption to an Instagram publish proudly claimed: “Metropolis pest contractors can’t compete along with her mice kill file.”
Carlow
Residing on the New York Metropolis Hearth Division Ladder 13 station home within the Yorkville neighborhood of Manhattan, Carlow is a cat who just isn’t brief on confidence. This white-and-ginger chap payments himself on social media because the “O.G. of firehouse cats” and claims, “I don’t do baths however I do love treats.”
In accordance with lore, Carlow’s origin story includes being found hiding away inside a tire in a mechanic’s store whereas he was nonetheless a wandering kitten, earlier than taking on a place on the firehouse. Nowadays, Carlow’s formal firehouse duties contain nothing lower than embracing the grand accountability to “oversee everybody and all the pieces.” As for Carlow’s moniker? He’s named after the firehouse’s favourite native pub.
