SMOKEY MAKES IT TO THE BIG TIME SEE THE SARANAC LAKE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, OUR MEMBERS, AND OF COURSE "SMOKEY 6" FEATURED ON ANIMAL PLANET'S
"DOGS 101"
The tradition of Dalmatians in the fire service dates back to the days of horse drawn fire apparatus in the 1800's. Today the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department is one of only a few departments that still has a Dalmatian as a mascot.
The department first got its' mascot in the 1950's. and today we are enjoying our sixth mascot, all named "Smokey". "Smokey" lives at the fire station with the paid drivers and the volunteers. The pictures on this page are dedicated to the mascots of the department.
Smokey 1
(1950's)
Smokey 2
(1960's)
Smokey 3
(1972-1985)
Smokey 4
(1985-1998)
Smokey 5
(1998-2008)
Smokey 6 (Born 11/26/2008)
Still Running The Firehouse!!!
New Puppy Carries on Old Firehouse Tradition
December 29, 2008
By NATHAN BROWN, Enterprise Staff Writer SARANAC LAKE - The Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department recently purchased a new Dalmatian named Smokey, at least the sixth in a decades-old tradition. Fire Driver Rick Yorkey said the department acquired Smokey in Catskill on Christmas Day. He said she comes from the same bloodline as the last two Smokeys. Yorkey said that when he joined the department in 1985, the Smokey at the time was 13 years old and had to be put to sleep shortly thereafter, as he was dragging his legs and having difficulty walking. He said the current Smokey, who turned nine weeks old Sunday, is the third since then. The last Smokey died at age 10 in late October from kidney failure. She had been blind for about a year before that. Saranac Lake is the only fire department in the area that still has a Dalmatian. click here to read entire article from the Adirondack Daily Enterprise
Smokey #3
1972-1985
Smokey #4 Marching
w/ Member Kent Robinson (1992)
Smokey #4
Circ. 1989
Smokey #4 - Fire Prevention
w/ Member Ed Hoyt
Smokey #4
Circ. 1995
Smokey #4
Circ. 1995
Smokey #5
w/ Member Bob Girard
Smokey #5
8 weeks old (12/1998)
Smokey #5
w/ Driver Rick Yorkey (12/2001)
Smokey 6 and Driver John Derby
Smokey 6 "Just a Pup"
Smokey 6 in full dress uniform
Click Here to read all about Fire Dogs and Fire Horses
Click Here to view a video about Dalmatians featured on Animal Planets "Breed All About It"
