Sparky visits attentive preschoolers

Sparky the Fire Dog made his first official visit to Sisters area children last week — only one day after arriving in town.

Fire Marshal Dave Wheeler and other staff of the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District took Sparky on a visit to about 20 preschoolers at the Little Outlaws Learning Center at the Sisters Middle School on April 8.

Fireman Matt Hodge had the honor of being the first to wear the brightly-colored costume with a large head of a Dalmatian dog. Purpose of the visit was to encourage preschoolers to be careful with fire and remember what to do if they see a fire.

“Call 991,” was the answer from one eager young child who threw up his hand when Wheeler asked what they should do if they did see a fire.

“That’s close,” Wheeler responded, stating the correct number of 911.

Besides getting to hug Sparky and have their picture taken with him, the young people also received a bright yellow fireman’s hat.

“We’ll be back and next time we’ll bring a fire truck,” Wheeler told the children at the end of the visit.

Sparky is the official mascot and registered trademark of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The fire prevention symbol is used throughout the nation to promote structural fire prevention. He often joins up with Smokey Bear who promotes wildland fire prevention.

“This is our first Sparky the Fire Dog suit,” Wheeler later explained. “In the coming weeks, we will be visiting elementary school children in the district, SOAR, and other major local events and parades.”

Dalmatians shared the barns and hunting courses with horses for centuries. With early-day fire apparatus being horse-drawn, it was only natural that most firehouses had a resident Dalmatian to help direct the horses and to guard the firehouse.

These dogs almost always were called “Sparky.” When NFPA was seeking a symbolic mascot, it was an easy choice to have a Dalmatian Sparky the Fire Dog.