Robotic Dog Teaches Fire Safety - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |

Onalaska, WI (WXOW)-- If you noticed dozens of police cars, fire trucks and ambulances at Globe University Saturday, there wasn't an emergency. It was actually the third annual Emergency Services Day.

Area first-responders and safety experts came out for the community awareness event. Kids could go through the Fort McCoy smokehouse, to practice getting out of a burning building.

There were also robotic fire and police cars driving around and teaching kids about fire safety. Gundersen Lutheran staff was also on hand to provide car seat safety checks.

"I'm here today with Cinder, he's the official fire dog for the Onalaska Fire Department," said firefighter Bill Meshak, of the Onalaska Fire Department. "We're out here, spreading the news of fire safety with the kids. We're encouraging them to sleep with their doors shut, helps keep smoke out if there's a fire. Also, teaching them the stop, drop, cover their face and roll, so they don't get burned, and just having fun." 

The event is organized by the Globe University Criminal Justice Program.