NFSC, Inc. Fire Safety Coordinators provide local fire departments nationwide with the tools they need to help save lives through their customized programs & services. NFSC Fire Safety Coordinators attend international, national, state, and local conventions to familiarize departments with Firepup^® and the fire safety materials he represents.

Plaques and awards are given out to Fire Departments that have had long-standing programs using NFSC materials and the Firepup^® character. An initial award is in the form of an engraved plaque. Quite often a new plaque is presented representing 5 years, 10 years, etc. These plaques are proudly displayed on department office walls or in lobbies.

Our Fire Safety Mascot Firepup^®

In 1986, National Fire Safety Council, Inc. (NFSC, Inc.) developed Firepup^®, a friendly Dalmatian cartoon character, in an effort to make learning about fire and burn prevention and life safety issues, fun, entertaining, and non-threatening. Firepup^® was developed to be a friendly and positive role model for children. He has proven to be a successful learning tool used by fire prevention officers and teachers across the country.

• Firepup^® has joined the ranks of many firefighting agencies throughout the nation. Fire prevention officers have used Firepup^® in fire safety presentations to children in thousands of schools.


• Firepup^® appears in NFSC, Inc. fire and burn prevention education programs and materials used by fire prevention officers and teachers. This adds continuity to the programs and identity to the organization.


• Firepup^®’s image is also portrayed in a life-size costumed character. The character is treated as an auxiliary fire prevention officer by many fire departments.


• Firepup^® has become familiar to hundreds of thousands of children from all over the country who view Firepup^® as a role model and trusted friend.

Firepup^® is a registered trademark of NFSC, Inc.

The Firepup^® Mascot Costume was created by the Research and Development Department and patented by National Fire Safety Council, Inc. The Firepup^® costume includes pants, shirt, fire coat, boot spats, paw gloves, and a fan-cooled head and is designed to allow free movement. Children respond to the costume in a positive manner and recognize Firepup^® wherever he goes.

The Firepup^® mascot costume is a must have for programs and events that further public information, education, and awareness in fire & life safety and burn prevention.

The Firepup^® mascot costume can be seen at many public functions across the country, including school assemblies, classroom discussions, grand openings, parades, promotions, hospitals, festivals and fairs, & community events.

Life-Size Firepup^® Mascot Costume

Evaluation sheets are mailed along with every fire safety educational program. These evaluation sheets, completed by local firefighters, principals, and teachers help show us how effective our Firepup^® fire safety educational materials are.

Any suggestions, constructive criticism, or comments about the materials are greatly appreciated. These help the Council prepare future educational program materials on fire and burn prevention and life safety. Here are some comments from teachers across the country.

Firepup®'s Birthday is October 1st

Chase's Calendar of Events is the standard reference for event and observance information in the U.S. Thousands of libraries, broadcasters & print media, websites, and more look to Chase's for interesting facts every day.

Firepup^®’s birthday and the anniversary of the founding of NFSC, Inc. have appeared in Chase's Calendar of Events since 1993, generating hundreds of calls a year requesting information on Firepup^®, his birthday, and the general fire safety materials.

Arvin Alert^™

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Arvin Alert™ Heater Endorsement & Black & Decker Automatic Shut-Off™. NFSC was approached by Arvin Industries to seek out an endorsement of their latest product with a fire safety feature a safety alarm and alert light that alerts the consumer if the heater is bumped, tipped over, or overheats. NFSC was included in the packaging and advertising of this product.

Automatic Shut-Off^™ Iron

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Black & Decker Automatic Shut-Off™ Iron. In 1987, NFSC was asked by Black & Decker to endorse their latest product, their Automatic Shut-Off™ iron. This product beeps to warn you it’s been left on, then shuts itself off and stays off even if knocked over, preventing needless accidental fires. NFSC was included in the packaging and advertising of this product.

Although NFSC, Inc. endorsed these products in the past, it should be noted that we no longer participate in product endorsement campaigns.

Hawaiian Punch Punchy^® Telephones Aid in teaching children 9-1-1. In 1991, NFSC teamed up with Hawaiian Punch to distribute thousands of Punchy (character) phones as instructional props for classrooms teaching how to dial 9-1-1 in an emergency. As a part of this promotion, Punchy was featured in various layouts with Firepup^®, which were printed on the inside of fire safety manuals.

Fire Safety Messages Save Lives

Duck Lake, Michigan

Five-year-old Cherie Kendall of Duck Lake, Michigan, paid close attention during Holton Elementary School’s fire safety classes. The firefighters’ lessons of “Stop, Drop and Roll” and “Go tell somebody if you see a fire” came in handy when a fire broke out at the home of Cherie’s babysitter.

“I wasn’t scared because I knew what to do,” said Cherie, who awakened her sleeping babysitter and carried her 1-year-old sister out of the burning house.

Fire Chief of Holton Township, Art Stevens, praised Cherie for her bravery and composure during the fire, which was caused when the babysitter’s 3-year-old son set his bedding on fire while playing with a lighter. No one was hurt in the blaze.

“This little girl showed outstanding heroism and stayed calm,” said Stevens. “Kids that age sometimes panic and go and hide in a bedroom where they feel safe. Cherie did not do that, and it shows us our program is working.”

Owosso, Michigan

Shawn Hall, 7, of Owosso, Michigan, received second- and third-degree burns over 18 percent of his body when a fire resulted from his playing with a cigarette lighter in the upstairs bathroom of a friend’s apartment. However, it could have been much worse.

Twelve-year-old Eric Rogers was watching television downstairs in his family’s apartment where he and Shawn stayed after school while their mothers were at work. Eric heard the smoke alarm go off. He ran upstairs and saw Shawn running toward him with his clothes on fire, the bathroom behind him also in flames.

“All I could think of was to get the flames out,” said Eric. “I remembered this fire safety book I got when I was in the first or second grade.” “I got him on the floor and made him roll until the flames were out,” he said. “I’m just glad he wasn’t burned as bad as he could have been."

Ville Platte, Louisiana

The Ville Platte, Louisiana Fire Department got a fire call one morning and arrived on the scene to find three houses ablaze. Anna Mae Jones, an 11-year-old student at James Stephens Elementary School, helped rescue 11 people from the burning homes.

Louisiana State Fire Marshal Robert LaBorde said, “With the help of God, Anna led these people to safety. So many times I have seen people die in terrible ways. We have had to carry out big and little bodies. Thanks to Anna, this story has a happy ending."

"Anna’s bravery sends us a strong message,” said Ronnie Smith, Ville Platte Fire Chief. “Children must know escape routes in case of fires. We also need to continue our fire safety education programs.”