Search Teams

Our Search Teams

Baja California Task Force 3 (BC-TF3)

California Regional Task Force 7 (CA-RTF7) Ventura County

California Task Force 1 (CA-TF1) Los Angeles City

California Task Force 2 (CA-TF2) Los Angeles County

California Task Force 3 (CA-TF3) Bay Area

California Task Force 4 (CA-TF4) Oakland

California Task Force 5 (CA-TF5) Orange County

California Task Force 7 (CA-TF7) Sacramento

California Task Force 8 (CA-TF8) San Diego

Nebraska Task Force 1 (NE-TF1)

New York Task Force 2 (NY-TF2)

Oklahoma Task Force 1 (OK-TF1)

Utah Task Force 1 (UT-TF1)

Virginia Task Force 1 (VA-TF1)

Virginia Task Force 2 (VA-TF2)

Sassy & Phil Kleinheinz

Sassy & Phil Kleinheinz

 

Team Info

 

Task Force: California Task Force 3 (CA-TF3)
Agency: Santa Clara Fire Department
Level: FEMA Certified

 

 

Search Dog Info

 

Breed: Black Lab
Sex: Female
Born: May 20, 2021
Recruited from Kaiser K9
Sponsor: The Joel and Dena Gambord Family

 

 

Sassafras was donated to SDF as a puppy by Kaiser K9, and this tiny recruit was a spitfire from day one! Small but mighty, this young lady has tons of drive and loves to hunt, bark, and tug—all great qualities in a potential search dog.   

 

Quickly earning the nickname “Sassy” by training staff, this bundle of black Lab energy started searching rubble right away and took to the game immediately. Sassy is so much fun to train and play with, not to mention her fantastic rubble skills. She floats across the rubble and has a commanding bark alert. This little girl was born to be an urban search and rescue dog! Sassy was paired with Phil Kleinheinz of the Santa Clara Fire Department and California Task Force 3 in September 2023.   

 

Phil Kleinheinz is a third-generation first responder who became an EMT in 2001, shortly after becoming a paid call firefighter. Currently a Driver Engineer Paramedic, Phil has always loved animals and learned that becoming a canine search team was an option after meeting other handlers. After learning about SDF, he applied to the Handler Training Program and was accepted.    

 

Phil’s first impression of Sassy was: “She’s nuts! And I absolutely love it! She’s a ball of ridiculous and fun energy and I quickly learned she’s a huge love bug, too.”  

 

Phil appreciates how much he’s learned at SDF—skills that will serve him in his career and life. He’s also impressed with Sassy and how quickly she learns and progresses, generalizing concepts. He’s excited to have a partner to train with and as an exercise buddy who will joyfully join him in a walk, hike, or run.  Phil shared, “I thought getting a job in the fire service was hitting the jackpot. The best job ever. But now I get to share that with my canine partner. NOW it’s the best job ever!” 

 

After months of hard work, the team achieved FEMA certification in Sacramento on March 10, 2024. This made them eligible to deploy nationwide with their task force teammates should the need arise.  

 

Phil and Sassy continued to train weekly with their task force teammates to prepare for different disaster scenarios in preparation for the call to action. Then in October 2024, they pre-deployed with CA-TF3 to Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton, expected to make landfall as a major storm. We wish Phil and Sassy, as well as everyone responding to the recent hurricane activity, a successful mission and speedy return!