Sparky The Fire Dog Accepts 70th Birthday Greetings In Anacostia

WASHINGTON, DC — Children from St. Phillip’s Child Development Center in Anacostia on Tuesday gave Sparky the Fire Dog a card to celebrate his 70th birthday.

Sparky traveled in a fire truck from D.C. Fire Department Engine Co. 15 to meet with the children and accept birthday greetings. During his visit to the center, Sparky exchanged birthday greetings with one of the children, who turned 3 on Tuesday.

St. Phillip’s Child Development Center, located on 14th Street, SE, provides early childhood education for the Anacostia community.

Sparky, created as the official mascot of the National Fire Protection Association in 1951, travels around communities to stress the importance of fire safety.

Sparky’s website offers age-appropriate games, videos, apps and other activities that make learning about fire safety fun. Sparky also has a Facebook page that includes additional fire safety information, resources and messages.