Fire District 1 to Introduce K9 Violet at July 22, 2025, Press Conference

(Sedgwick County, Kan.) – Sedgwick County Fire District 1 (SCFD1) and the Office of the State Fire Marshal invite members of the media to attend a press conference introducing Violet, a highly trained Belgian Malinois preparing to join the department’s search and rescue operations. Violet’s handler, SCFD1 Firefighter Joshua Smith, will give a live demonstration showcasing her skills Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Station 36, 5055 S. Oliver St. in Wichita. 

K9 Violet is currently undergoing live search and rescue training and is on track to receive her certification, making her fully deployable by December 2025. Once certified, she will assist with locating people who are missing and potentially trapped. Media are encouraged to attend the press conference and learn more about her integral role in future emergency response operations.