Cullman Fire Rescue welcomes Charlie the Fire Dog
CULLMAN, Ala. – After 15 years in fire service, Josh Sparkman finally got his dream fire dog, found in a 5-year-old Texan Dalmatian named Charlie. Although working animals alongside first responders certainly isn’t a new concept, it’s definitely new to Cullman Fire Rescue. Charlie bears the honorary title “Chief of Morale,” and he’s been lifting spirits in Fire Station 3 now for a couple of months.
Sparkman said the idea to get Charlie came from seeing another working animal on the first responder scene, Wilshire the Fire Dog, and from one of his first animal coworkers, Pete the Border Collie.
“When I started in the fire service I had a border collie that went to work with me; his name was Pete, and he went everywhere. But I always wanted a Dalmatian!” said Sparkman, weaving the tale of Charlie’s origin story.
One family’s life changes turned into a blessing in disguise, with Sparkman’s wife keeping a lookout for his dream breed and surprising him with an early day off work and a road trip. Located just a few states away, and in new need of a home, was Charlie.
“She said, about two months ago, that she had a surprise and asked if I could get off work an hour early,” said Sparkman, “and we actually end up driving to Texas and picked him up!”
Sparkman said he was a bit wary of Charlie being a “working man,” despite Dalmatians being the classic firehouse breed; known to be hyper, and being bred for protective purposes, the typical Dalmatian can be aggressive. A quick test drive of Charlie’s temperament in a Bass Pro Shop on the way home proved him worthy of the title of Fire Dog.
“He just kind of weaseled his way into a job,” laughed Sparkman, sharing that Charlie’s main purpose in the firehouse is the emotional well-being of the first responders at the station.
“I brought him to work, and he just changed the atmosphere,” he said, explaining the often unattended need that first responders have for emotional support after a bad call or just
the general toll a first responder’s career can take. Working long and odd hours, often finishing shifts on very little sleep, and seeing the worst possible outcomes in a high-stress situation can take a toll on even the most level-headed person.
“In our career, ya know, that’s important. If we get off a bad call and Charlie is here, you can just turn him loose and he can sense in people their needs,” nodded Sparkman.
Sparkman said he hopes the positive experience of a dog in the firehouse can help turn the tide of mental well-being in the first responder industry at large, noting that he encourages other firehouses to have their own resident working animals.
“I hope we can be an example for the future, that people can see the benefit of a dog in the firehouse,” he smiled, ruffling Charlie’s ears.
To keep up with Charlie’s day-to-day activities and future meet and greets, follow his Facebook page at https://tinyurl.com/CharlieFD.
