May 15--LAKELAND -- Residents who have always wanted to name one of the city's iconic swans now have their chance.
Lakeland Fire Department's new mascot, a firefighting swan, needs to be named before it can make its official debut, according to Janel Vasallo, the fire department's spokeswoman.
Vasallo said the new mascot is being introduced as part of an effort to revamp and streamline the fire department's public-education and community-outreach efforts. She said a great deal of thought went into selecting a swan as the department's new representative.
"We're big about expanding our diversity. Men, women, anyone who wants to be a firefighter can be," she said.
"If it is an animal, it doesn't get tied into the debate whether it's a man or woman or what color it is -- it's just a symbol of the city." Jamin Smith, Lakeland's graphic design specialist, drew the stylized cartoon swan dressed in full bunker gear ready to respond to an emergency call at a moment's notice.
Its helmet displays the swan's own firefighter number.
"We wanted to keep it tied in to Polk County so we decided to make it 863," Vasallo said, the area's telephone area code. "It's here for Polk County."
The fire department's newest member still needs a name that will be chosen by Lakeland's residents.
A Facebook contest was launched Monday asking people to comment with their selected choice from a list of 10 pre-screened, fire-related names that includes Bunker, Smoke, Gasket, Blaze and others.
"Those were 10 names suggested here internally by the department," Vassallo said. "I asked firefighters and office staff, then we dwindled the list down and put it up for a vote." Online voting is open through Friday on the fire department's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/LakelandFD.
More than 80 entries had been received by Tuesday morning, according to Vassallo.
The winning name will be announced May 20. All who participate are eligible to be entered into a drawing for a prize pack of Lakeland Fire Department goodies possibly including pens, pencils, coloring books, plastic cups, small towels or smoke alarms.
Sara-Megan Walsh can be reached at 863-802-7545 or [email protected].
___ (c)2019 The Ledger (Lakeland, Fla.) Visit The Ledger (Lakeland, Fla.) at www.theledger.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
