Our four-legged canine friends have been serving at firehouses around the United States for many years, starting with the infamous white with black spots Dalmatian. Dalmatians were originally used by the fire service to protect horses and fire equipment from theft at the scene of a fire as both commodities were high in value. Dalmatians are also very intelligent and fiercely loyal dogs who turned out to be very compatible with the horses that would pull the apparatus, which is why the dalmatian was often seen as leading the hose, engine, or hook and ladder company to a fire.

Today, dogs are used by the fire service for search and rescue as well as arson investigations. Dogs have an excellent sense of smell and can track and locate lost or missing individuals and can be trained to seek out explosives and accelerants that may be used to start a fire.

While we do not have a dog at our firehouse currently, below is a story from out museum about a pooch named Rover that was known by all around town, including our firemen.

“ROVER was but a dog, but he was a novel and knowing animal at that – he growled, bit at the toes of the nearest pair of feet, and in particular way won himself into the hearts of all who knew him.

There were a few who were afraid of Rover, and he knew all about them, for those cowards were, to Rover, as the grass under his feet and he treated them with soorn; save at times when he played with them.

Rover always liked to be “in it” and never a bugle sounded, nor a fire bell rung but he was first to respond.

He at some portion of his existence broke his leg and the accompanying picture will serve to show him in all his glory and in addition the aforesaid injured member

To some it may appear ridiculous to make such a fuss over a mere animal, but it is a bit of sentiment that most all volunteer firemen and soldiers, in uniform, take pleasure indulging in. it would be hard to conscience those who know him best that there ever was, is, or ever will be to the equal in all respects, of our Rover.

He is welcomed (or was) at every gathering in town, be it church, theatre, funeral, or social affair. Without grip or password – only the scratch of his stiffened paw on the outer door, he is admitted within the sacred confines of nearly every secret organization in this town.

Rover died the first week of December 1896. They buried him in the rear of the Jessup house, now owned by the United Fire Company. Many stories are told about our Rover."