Fire Crew Gets Cocky; Rooster Appoints Himself Mascot

RUSKIN, FL — While some fire stations adopt a Dalmatian or other rescue dog as their mascot, the crew at Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Station 17 at 410 E. College Ave. in Ruskin has a more unusual animal representative.

For few weeks ago, a rooster showed up and declared himself the Station 17 mascot.

Actually, say the firefighters, the rooster seems to think he's member of the crew, hopping into the firetrucks and marine rescue boat as if to say, "I'm ready to go."

While he's good at providing the firefighters with their morning wake-up alarm, the crew still depends on the station's fire alarm to alert them to calls for service.