Melbourne Fire Dogs
All of us at Jendally Kennels would like to congratulate Barbara McCumisky for the fantastic milestone of 500 demonstrations with Fire Dog Kitt 2 (Dennis) achieved in Melbourne recently.
Barbara's achievements and expertise is training her Dalmatian dogs in the necessary routines to provide Fire Education Displays to children is ackowledged worldwide, with her work being featured in both English and American Dalmatian publications. Barbara and her fantastic dogs are the only Fire Safety Education Dals in the Southern Hemisphere.
Barbara's fantastic story began in 1989 when Barbara's first dog to become a fire educator was 'spotted' riding on a Melbourne Fire Museum appliance at a combined emergency services display. John Laverick of the Fire Prevention department had been looking for a non-threatening star for a fire safety video to target small children and he thought that if Pheonix (Kitt 1) could be trained he might be suitable for the role.
By October, 1989, Kitt 1 demonstrated his fire safety routines for a group of visiting kindergarten children and was an instant success. He later made a succession of appearances at primary schools where teachers accepted him without question. By 1990 during Fire Awareness Week and after countless other demonstrations and the success of the video, the Melbourne Fire Brigade (MFB) honoured Kitt 1 with the presentation of his own badge (a firefighters cap badge) which was attached to his collar. He was also given the title of MFB Fire Dog Kitt 1, thus becoming the first officially recognised canine fire safety educator in Australia.
Pheonix was retired from his fire career in Feb 1994 due to illness. For almost five years Kitt 1 woked with the MFB completing a total of 378 demonstrations.
Pheonix (Fire Dog Kitt 1) was succeeded by his son, Dennis, named after the MFB's No 8 Dennis Pump appliance, now in the Melbourne Museum. Dennis began his fire career in November 1993, just 1 day before his first birthday. He was another success and officially became Fire Dog Kitt 2.
Kitt 2 is now eight years old and continues to work on a regular basis. He has also been presented with his own badge, turnout coat and miniature helmet. In his career to date, he has completed over 500 deomstrations, delivering his fire safety messages to over 269,310 children and adults.
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Barb and Dennis (Kitt 2)
Demonstrating "Stop Drop and Roll"
In mid 1997, a new recruit joined Kitt 2 on the MFB's fire dog program, Her name is Tessie and she was destined to become the MFB's first female fire dog. In keeping with the fire dog Kitt tradition, she is also black spotted.
Born in March, 1996,. Tessie is from Reebok - Grand Champion Dimadal Ima Knockout CD ET's first litter, which also produced Kodak - Aust Ch Dimdal Limited Edition.
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Tessie with father Reebok
Tessie's training progressed slowly. Her role with the MFB is to participate with the firefighters, teaching the fire safety routines, as part of the Brigade's 'Fire Ed' Program for school children and the 'Retire Ed' Program for senior citizens. Like Kitt 2, she is also involved with the Juvenile Fire Awareness and Intervention Program, which was designed foe children with fire play problems.
In October, 1998, Tessie graduated at a special ceremony during Fire Awareness Week and was presented with the special collar, complete with official badge, along with her own turnout coat and helmet. AT the same time she was renamed MFB Fire Dog Kitt 3.
Now 5 years old, Kitt 3 continues to work in schools, fire stations and other venues alternating with fire dog Kitt 2. To date she has a total of 168 fire safety demonstrations to her credit.
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Barb and Tessie (Kitt 3)
Demo in full uniform!
CONGRATULATIONS BARBARA, PHEONIX, DENNIS AND TESSIE ON YOUR WONDERFUL DEDICATION TO THE SERVICE OF NOT ONLY THE MELBOURNE FIRE BRIGADE, BUT ALSO THE CHILDREN OF VICTORIA.
JENDALLY KENNELS IS VERY PROUD OF OUR ASSOCIATION WITH SUCH FANTASTIC AMBASSADORS OF OUR BEAUTIFUL BREED AND WISH YOU ALL CONTINUED SUCCESS INTO THE FUTURE.