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Wilshire shows kids how to stop, drop, and roll in case of a fire. Credit 5

It was a sunny day at a park in Los Angeles. Children clapped as they watched Wilshire. Adults talked and smiled. There were many distractions. But Wilshire stayed focused on his important work. He and Ryan were doing their special show on fire and life safety. Ryan put some props on the stage, and Wilshire was ready. He knew what to do with each one.

Wilshire obeyed each of Ryan’s verbal commands. Wilshire activated a smoke alarm. He crawled under a wooden model of a fire to show the crowd how to “get low and go” in case of a fire. He pressed the buttons on a phone with his nose to show how to dial 911. That is an important phone number to remember for any emergency.

People were amazed at Wilshire’s next trick. They watched as the spotted dog suddenly stopped moving and stood very still. He then dropped to the ground, stretched out, and rolled. He was showing the crowd what to do if their clothes caught on fire. Stop, drop, and roll!

Everyone clapped. After the show, the children got into a long line. They wanted to pat Wilshire and take a photo with him. They wanted to look closely at his silver firefighter badge. Wilshire wanted to meet them, too. He wagged his tail as he greeted each child.

Did You Know?

A grown male Dalmatian weighs about 50 pounds (23 kg) and stands about 24 inches (60 cm) high. Females are slightly smaller.

Ryan knows that Wilshire is a good teacher. He helps kids remember important safety tips. It’s easy to forget when you read something, but when a dog shows you each tip, it stays in your mind.

“Wilshire’s presentation is fun,” said Ryan. “Kids love watching and learning from him.”

Wilshire often helps Ryan teach health and fitness, too. If people eat unhealthy foods and don’t get enough exercise, they may become overweight. Then they may suffer from health problems. Wilshire eats some fruits and vegetables to show how to make healthy food choices. He lifts a pretend barbell, or weight, to show the importance of working out. Ryan tells people that Wilshire runs on a treadmill at the fire station for 20 to 30 minutes a day. He exercises every morning with his firefighter friends. Go, Wilshire!

Did You Know?

The National Fire Protection Association uses a cartoon Dalmatian named Sparky to help people learn about fire safety.

Although Wilshire usually doesn’t help to fight the fires, he likes to travel in the fire truck, says Ryan. “What dog wouldn’t love a ride with lights flashing and sirens blaring and the wind in his face?”

Once, Wilshire and Ryan were coming back from giving a talk at a school. Suddenly, their truck got a call. There was a fire! The firefighters quickly put on their gear as the truck raced to the scene.

“When we arrived,” said Ryan, “we saw smoke coming from the building.” They jumped off the fire truck, grabbing ladders, tools, and the hoses needed to put the fire out.

Wilshire stayed in the truck with the windows rolled up. “He was barking like crazy,” said Ryan. He wanted to help!

Ryan and the other firefighters put out a fire on a stove in one of the apartments. No one was hurt. The smoke alarms had warned everyone to leave the building.

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• Make a plan with your family. Figure out a good escape route in case of a fire. Pick a safe meeting place outside so that the whole family can meet there. Make sure that pets have a way out, too.

• Practice your plan. Have fire drills twice a year.

• Check smoke alarms every month to make sure they work.

• In case of a fire, “get low and go.” To avoid breathing smoke, crawl on your stomach so that you are close to the floor where the air is cool and clean.

• Know how to call emergency services.

• Never run if your clothes catch fire. That causes the fire to grow. Instead, remember: Stop, drop, and roll. Stop and cover your face with your hands; drop to the ground; lie flat and roll. This helps to put the fire out.

• Place a pet-alert sticker in your window. List the type and number of pets in your home. This helps rescue workers find and rescue your pets in an emergency.

The family with the fire was okay, but the children were scared. Their apartment was still filled with smoke. While it cleared, they waited outside. This was Wilshire’s chance to help. Ryan brought the friendly dog over to visit. Wilshire helped the children feel calmer.

“They seemed to quickly forget about their fear,” said Ryan. “They laughed a little when Wilshire wagged his tail and licked their faces.”

To help people learn about fire safety, Wilshire and Ryan have traveled throughout Los Angeles and to other parts of the United States. They have visited schools and a children’s hospital. They performed for the patients there. Wilshire has also been on the news. Wilshire has even performed in local plays as a guest star. He played the dog characters in Annie and Peter Pan and Tinker Bell—A Pirates Christmas.

Wherever he goes, Wilshire shares his fire safety tips. Wilshire is also a good reminder. He shows that adopting a dog can help give that pooch a second chance. Millions of people have seen and learned from Wilshire.

Everyone should know about fire safety because this knowledge can save people’s lives.