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| Sparky jumps for the cause: Kawartha Lakes takes testing smoke alarms to new heights |
| Written by BRENDA STONEHOUSE | |
 Kawartha Lakes Fire and Rescue Services and Sparky the Fire Dog have gone to great heights to encourage people to test their smoke alarms regularly. The adventurous Dalmatian went skydiving last fall and landed on a 12-foot smoke alarm in the middle of a grass airfield in Baldwin, just south of Sutton in rural Ontario.Sparky hits the button to test his smoke detector. INSET: Sparky’s airborne! Fire Prevention Inspector Brian McCuaig co-ordinated Sparky’s parachuting experience to help kick off Fire Prevention Week which ran Oct. 8-14, 2006. So why skydiving? “We were trying to think of unique and innovative ways to get the message to test your smoke alarm across,” says McCuaig. “In a meeting with the chief a couple of years ago regarding our fire prevention ideas he said the sky was the limit, so that’s where we went!” Safety was a key component of the event. “We wanted to make sure Sparky was trained by the best, so we went to the Parachute School of Toronto in Baldwin for training.” “He was a little nervous but that's to be expected,” said McCuaig. “I could relate to what he was feeling since I remember my first jump. I knew it would be an experience he would never forget.” Jump day was a little chilly with fog and light rain but everything went off without a hitch. “Sparky jumped from an altitude of 3,000 feet and landed perfectly,” said McCuaig. Sparky is no stranger to adventure. Since he’s been helping the Fire Prevention Division in Kawartha Lakes he’s also been downhill skiing at Devil’s Elbow Ski Resort in Bethany and has taken part in a Lindsay Muskies Junior A hockey game. McCuaig says Sparky is always up for a new challenge. “He likes to try new things and is always looking for new ways to educate people and draw attention to fire safety.” The jump was filmed and photo-graphed in co-operation with local media from 80 feet up, aboard the Bronto Skylift and the footage has been made into a video that was to be shown throughout Fire Prevention Week. “It’s important for us to remind people to test their smoke alarms especially with the recent changes in the law. We are reminding people to have a smoke alarm on every level of their home and outside each sleeping area,” says McCuaig. “We’re hoping this is something that will catch people's attention and help us get that message across.” McCuaig said the event was really a team effort. “We've had wonderful support from everyone involved.” Copies of the video are available on DVD by contacting Fire Prevention Inspector Brian McCuaig at 705-799-5254. Department profile Kawartha Lakes Fire and Rescue Services serves an amalgamated municipality that covers 1,184 square miles. The service has 21 stations and is a composite department with three full-time and 18 volunteer stations. In 2005, its 23 full-time firefighters and 370 volunteer firefighters responded to 3,400 calls. The Fire Prevention Division promotes a smoke alarm program and RiskWatch as part of its public education program. |
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