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Between 1977-1988, the Seattle Fire Department’s Public Education Office produced a series
of original animated films as a component of their School and Fire-Safe Education program
curriculum which was presented by the Fire Department in King County elementary schools.
One of the main reasons this series is so special and unique, is because the films were
actually developed, written, produced, edited and animated by employees at the Seattle Fire Department.
Several of these cartoons star “Big Red” the talking fire hydrant.
"I'm Big Red, a talking fire hydrant."
In 1984, Big Red made his first appearance in the S.A.F.E. films. Along with his friend,
Inspector Jim, Big Red travels to a local residence to perform a fire inspection and
teach Mrs. Reeves and her dog, Spot all about fire safety.
Big Red was based on an actual robot which national fire departments purchased to use
as a teaching tool. The Seattle Fire Department felt that having both the animated movies
and the actual robot in their presentations provided quote “a two-way interaction
between the children and the fire educator [to] make teaching fire safety more interesting
and fun for both children and adults.”
Local radio personalities such as KIRO’s Jim French and KJR’s Debbie Deutsch volunteered
to provide voices for the characters.
The University of Washington’s Department of Educational Media Services donated the
use of its animation and film equipment for the project. Film students from UW received
school credit for assisting with animating, editing and syncing the soundtrack.
Some of the elements addressed, such as smoking safety, are dated, but the quirky homemade
feel of the film remains endearing and entertaining.
To view this film or if you have any questions, please visit archives.seattle.gov.
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