Knoxville Fire Chief Cal Wyman has received a Crisis Canines Founding Leadership Award.

The award was received and Wyman was recognized at the Crisis Canines of the Midlands fall graduation at DMACC in Newton. Wyman was instrumental in bringing Crisis Canines to first responders in our local communities after the idea was presented by former Knoxville Firefighter Justin Smith who is the co-founder of the organization. Since then, Crisis Canines has been widely successful and they have partnered with many agencies in Iowa to bring in the highly trained dogs to first responders after first starting in Knoxville. 

Crisis Canines of the Midlands (CCM) provides highly trained and certified crisis response canine teams to support first responders and communities navigating the aftermath of critical incidents, trauma, and disaster.. These canines undergo significant training to be able to assist in crisis situations and the organization is continuing to try and gain exposure in our local community. 

A speech given at the ceremony by Crisis Canines President Steve Ashing stated 

“Chief Calvin Wyman, today is about you. This entire program—Crisis Canines—started as an idea in the heart of one of your firefighters, Justin Smith. When Justin came to you with a vision of pairing trained canines with first responders to bring comfort in crisis, you didn’t hesitate. You said, “Let’s do it.”

You gave Justin the green light to train in Ohio, the support to build something new, and most importantly—you gave him your trust. That decision has rippled outward. What began in Knoxville is now impacting communities across Iowa and now the nation. Our dogs have walked beside survivors, comforted grieving families, and stood with our brothers and sisters in uniform through their toughest moments. That’s the power of what you helped start.

You never asked for credit—but today, we’re giving it to you, because leadership like yours deserves recognition.”

Marion County has four trained crisis canines currently and has two more coming.