Sparky the Fire Dog gets promoted

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mike Tateishi
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Few Air Force promotions have taken longer than this one...after 23 years of service to Kadena Air Base, Sparky the Fire Dog is now a non-commissioned officer.

"By the power vested in me as authorized by the 18th Wing commander, we are hereby STEP promoting you to the rank of staff sergeant," announced Col. Brian Duffy, 18th Civil Engineer Group commander, to a crowd of nearly 50 Kadena Elementary School students on Oct. 7.

A STEP (Stripes for Exceptional Performers) promotion is very rare for any Airman. But Col. Duffy said Sparky's ability to put smiles on the faces of more than 215,000 children during Fire Prevention Week events and other community events over the past couple decades showed his "selfless service."

"I couldn't believe it," exclaimed Sparky as he continued to wave to children and stop for pictures displaying his new chevrons.

Sparky the Fire Dog has a new title within the department; he's now the public information officer for Fire Prevention Week. That new title already had his tail wagging to get the messages out of his notebook:

#1 - Don't let fires happen.
#2 - If a fire happens, have a plan.
#3 - Know how to call for help.
#4 - Know how and when to change the batteries in your smoke detector.

In addition to those tips, Sparky encourages children to visit him online as a "refresher" from time-to -time.

"I've got my own website now," said Sparky as he pulled a card from under his jacket. "It's www.sparky.org."

Sparky has been at Kadena for the past 23 years, but has been the official mascot of the National Fire Prevention Association since 1951.