The Sackville Fire Department recently welcomed its newest member just in time for a special anniversary of the Fireman's Ice Skating Carnival.
Sparky the Dog "moved" to the area from California to help the local fire department promote fire safety to youngsters in the community, said Eddie Cole, training officer at the Sackville Fire Department.
"We purchased him to promote public safety and fire prevention in the schools and in the community," he said.
The roughly 5'8 tall fire fighting Dalmatian was bought with some of the proceeds from the fire department's annual truck draw, said Cole.
"The majority of the money from the truck draw goes toward equipment. We'd wanted to have Sparky because kids relate him to fire safety."
The idea to get a mascot came up a few years ago, said Stephen Estabrooks, retired officer of the Sackville fire department.
"One of the guys brought it up a couple of years ago, to have something, when they do the fire prevention in the schools. So we sourced him on the Internet. There's only one Sparky."
The National Fire Protection Association created Sparky the firedog in 1951 to help children understand the importance of fire safety.
In the old days, Dalmatians were bred to travel with coaches because of their strong guard instincts and natural compatibility with horses. They became widely used by firefighters to protect the firehouse from thieves and to guide horse-drawn fire engines to a fire. They occasionally even located victims within a burning building.
"They used to run alongside of fire engines, when they had the steam pumps," said Cole.
Although Dalmatians have been relieved of their duties of firedog for many years, the breed has stayed on with the fire department through Sparky, who still works hard promoting fire safety to children from kindergarten to Grade 6.
"The firemen give a lot back to the community and this is just another way they can," said Cole.
Sparky will make his debut as a member of the Sackville Fire department at this year's Fireman's ice carnival, said Kevin Alder, volunteer firefighter.
"We do enough around the town, like parades and fire safety in schools, to have good use for him," he said.
Sparky the Dog joins the Sackville Fire department
Sparky the Dog joins the Sackville Fire department
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Published on
February 4, 2009
- Published on March 5, 2010
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Shawna MacAusland
The Sackville Fire Department recently welcomed its newest member just in time for a special anniversary of the Fireman's Ice Skating Carnival.
Sparky the Dog "moved" to the area from California to help the local fire department promote fire safety to youngsters in the community, said Eddie Cole, training officer at the Sackville Fire Department.
"We purchased him to promote public safety and fire prevention in the schools and in the community," he said.
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