Sparky gets children fired up about reading Published July 25, 2014 By Rebecca Amber Staff writer EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Sparky the Fire Dog rode up to the Base Library in the back of a fire truck July 25, to greet children at the Summer Reading Program. Sparky departed the emergency vehicle, paws waving as children cheered and lined up to hug and high-five the fire safety mascot. Fire fighters assisted the children as they took turns touring the inside of the truck. After Sparky's visit, the children were invited to cool-off inside the library with an ice cream cone. The summer reading program is an annual Department of Defense-sponsored program aimed at keeping children interested in reading during the months that school is not in session. It combines reading with live demonstrations and events at the library every Friday through Aug. 15.