MAULDIN — Say hello to Ember, the Mauldin Fire Department's new part-mascot, part-educational tool and part-therapy dog.
Ember is a 2-year-old German Shepherd mix and certified K9 taken care of by her handler, Mauldin Fire Marshal John Centrone.
The first of its kind in the state, Ember is what Centrone told The Post and Courier is a “visual aid” for fire safety and an ambassador for the department as they teach fire safety essentials like the classic slogan “stop, drop and roll” to kids across Mauldin.
Centrone said he originally got Ember as a pet, but when he saw the opportunity, he decided to make the pitch.
“Studies have shown that utilizing an animal to assist in education increases attention span and helps audiences retain critical information,” Centrone said in a news release from the department. “We hope no one ever has to use these fire safety techniques, but in the event they do, seeing a dog perform these techniques will ensure they stay imprinted in their minds.”
The department says Ember and Centrone have done more than 400 hours of documented training together over the last two years, including obedience training and an American Kennel Club community canine certification, according to a news release.
In 2023, the Mauldin Fire Department completed 121 fire safety events. So far in 2024, the department has completed close to 80 events.
On Oct. 25, a group of a dozen homeschooled children went to the department's headquarters off West Butler Road to learn about fire safety with Ember and Centrone.
In the front of the room, Centrone used Ember to demonstrate how to “stop, drop and roll” in order to extinguish a fire on your body.
Ember also showed the kids how to crawl down low during a house fire to avoid inhaling smoke, and emphasized the point of getting out of the home as soon as possible and staying out while help arrives.
On the day-to-day, Ember is also a registered therapy dog for the public and firefighters. Centrone said he brings Ember to different stations to interact with the firefighters for better morale.
