Dog becomes first mascot of fire department

Wednesday, Aug. 26, 1998 | 10:49 a.m.

Sparky, a 6-year-old female Dalmatian, has been named the Las Vegas Fire Department's first-ever mascot, resurrecting the tradition of the spotted firehouse dog that dates back to the mid-19th century.

Mayor Jan Laverty Jones presented Sparky and her owner, LVFD Public Education Officer Evert Wilson, with Sparky's collar badge, No. K-9, at a ceremony Monday.

Sparky and her late predecessor -- also named Sparky and owned by Wilson -- have in the past 16 years taught more than 500,000 local children how to "stop, drop and roll" if they catch fire. The original Sparky died in 1992 of cancer at age 14.

The city decided to make the animal an official mascot because of insurance liability factors, especially with small children involved.

"There has never been an incident, but the question came up last year, 'what if she bites someone?'" Wilson asked. "Essentially we will continue doing what we have done all these years. However, the city will now insure her while she is working for the city."

Wilson keeps a $1 million liability policy on Sparky. Under terms of a two-year contract with the city, he will maintain that policy.

Although Sparky has been awarded the title of "LVFD Public Education Mascot," there will be no additional cost to taxpayers for her veterinary care and feeding, which will continue to be Wilson's responsibility.

The current Sparky, who was born less than a month after the original Sparky died, will serve as a visual tool in "Sparky's ABCs of Fire Safety" demonstrations at area schools.

Monday's action by the City Council may be unique, as Wilson says he knows of no other Western U.S. city that has an official firehouse Dalmatian mascot.

"Some of the bigger Eastern and Midwest cities like Philadelphia and Chicago have official mascots," he said. "But most of the dogs used by fire departments today are Labradors and retrievers who are trained to detect (sources of) arson. Sparky currently is undergoing that training."