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Pitt Meadows |
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Fire and Rescue Service |
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The Dalmatian
You have seen them laying in the corner of the firehall or proudly riding on the truck in the parade. The Dalmatian is the most popular mascot of the fire service. So how did they get to claim that status?
Back long before the motor vehicle, stagecoaches were a common form of transporting people around. Horse theft was very common (like car theft today) so stagecoach drivers would sleep by their horses to guard against the horse thieves. Dogs became a popular way to protect the horses, but the Dalmatian was found to have a natural calming effect on horses. With the dogs guarding the horses, the coach drivers could sleep in a comfortable bed.
The Dalmatians commonly became coach dogs, since they are a strong physical breed that can run great distances without tiring. As time went on the horses and Dalmatians formed a close bond. Aside from guarding against horse thieves, the Dalmatians would run alongside the stagecoach and prevent other dogs from chasing or injuring the horses.
When the horse drawn fire apparatus was introduced into the fire service, the Dalmatian was called upon to protect the responding horses and engine as it raced off to put out the fire. Once at the scene, the Dalmatians protected the horses and engine while the Firefighters took care of the problem. After the call, all would return to the firehall where the horses were fed and the equipment cleaned in preparation for the next call. Knowing their job was done, the Dalmatian could take a well deserved rest.
In this way, the Dalmatian became a symbol as the Firefighters faithful companion.
While the horse drawn apparatus are long gone, Dalmatians are still found in fire halls across the land. Some are still used to guard the modern rigs from would be thieves. Others keep guard of the hall, waiting for the crew to return home safe and sound.
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