There’s a new face at the Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department in Maryland — and it’s not your typical firefighter. Peanut, a curious and friendly cat, has become an honorary member of the team.
Peanut belongs to Lamine Fofana, a 2nd Lieutenant EMS and volunteer firefighter. He brings her to the station regularly, where she quickly made herself at home among the crew.
“She enjoys coming around. She loves all the people. There’s a lot for her to explore,” Fofana told PEOPLE magazine. “A good portion of the time, she’s just walking around saying hi to everyone.”
Fofana shares Peanut’s firehouse adventures on TikTok. One of his videos recently went viral, gaining 3.5 million views.
Though she doesn’t have an official title, Peanut wears a name tag and is considered part of the team. She often visits on Sundays and other days when Fofana is on duty. The department is even working on a custom firesuit for her, though she prefers not to wear a fire hat.
Other firefighters have grown fond of Peanut and look forward to her visits. “When I come without her, they ask me where she is and why she didn’t come,” Fofana said.
Peanut’s presence has even inspired others. One TikTok user commented, “Sharing with my boss (fire chief) to show him we do in fact need a station cat.”
While Peanut won’t be fighting fires, her presence boosts morale and brings comfort to the department. Fans can continue to follow her journey on Fofana’s TikTok account.
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