The Hero of fire safety

Lt. Don Williamson with the Chelsea Fire Department has been teaching fire safety in elementary classrooms for years and his partner, Hero, has been instrumental since November 2008 in helping share his message.

Hero is a Dalmatian and is an essential part of the Department’s education program for children in elementary schools, preschools and daycares across the area. Williamson said he believes children are more attentive when he brings Hero the Firehouse Dog with him.

Williamson said students are more receptive to “Fireman Don” when they know they’ll have a chance to pet Hero and perhaps see him perform a trick or two.

The education program is tailored to be age-appropriate, with children in daycares and preschools learning the basics of calling 911, and Williamson focusing on laying the groundwork for future visits and creating a positive relationship with the children. More complicated fire safety lessons are shared with students in elementary schools. Hero even joins in on showing students how to “Stop, Drop and Roll.” 

“It helps us deliver a very specific safety message to kids,” said Williamson. “Kids seem to listen a little better when there’s a dog involved.”

Dalmatians often guarded fire brigades’ horses and wagons in the early days of fire fighting. When the Chelsea Fire Department decided to get its own Dalmatian out of respect for this tradition, they began receiving calls from breeders across the country.

The perfect dog, however, was already waiting in nearby Pelham at Danrich Moorcroft Dalmatians. Local trainers from Creative Dog Training found a puppy with the right temperament for working with children and the breeder donated the puppy to the fire department. After extensive training, Hero became the star of Chelsea’s fire safety education program.

Almost six years later, Hero is beloved by Chelsea’s parents and children, and is a popular sight at parades and events throughout the year. His friendly nature is perfect for making children want to learn about fire safety, and it has also endeared him to Williamson’s family and the Chelsea firefighters.

“He’s like a member of the family. Not only my personal family, but the firefighter family,” said Williamson. “All the firefighters down here love him and play with him on duty. He’s one of the guys on duty, and he’s one of the family at home.”