... The story I once read about the dal and the fire service along with all the other fire service info I have learned goes something like this:

The dalmatian became popular in the fire service back when there were no paid fire departments. They were known as salvage companies and they were paid by insurance companies for extinguishing fires in insured buildings. Rival companies began to form in larger cities and competed to put out fires. The volunteers were often recruited from local saloons for their fighting ability. Rival companies responding to a fire would sometimes meet at an intersection and begin fighting only to be thrown in jail while the fire burned. Fire companies would carry barrels to put over hydrants and hide them on the way in to a fire or would disconnect other companies hoses to connect their own to extinguish the fire. The insurance company only paid the company hooked up when the fire was put out.

Fireman began to turn to dogs (of all breeds) to guard their fire wagons and hose connections. The Dalmatian became the most noted for many reasons. Fire wagons were horse drawn and the Dalmatian had the natural bred affinity for horses because it was bred as a coaching dog in England.

Another trait of the coaching dog was to guard the coach from highway robbers, another perfect fit for guarding the firewagon and equipment. The Dalmatian was also a breed associated with the wealthy class and became a status symbol for the fire departments just as the shiny trucks and all their useless chrome are today.