I am researching to start a child and community fire prevention program for my fire department - need info?

We are a volunteer rural fire and rescue department with limited funding and I need ideas or information I can use to begin a fire prevention program.

I am researching to start a child and community fire prevention program for my fire department - need info?
It's not as hard as you'd think.





Start with basics.





Kids love "listening" to a firefighter. Depending on the taget age group, you may want to cover different subjects.





Smaller children need to learn about not playing with matches and fire. "Stop-drop-and-roll", stay low in fire and smoke, and not to be afraid of firefighters. I've had alot of positive feedback from day cares about brining in a firefighter with all of his equipment and "dressing" for a fire in front of them. They can see the air tank, the mask, the helment, and the rest of the turn-out gear before the firefighter puts it on. If you think about it, a firefighter in full turn-out with his mask and air-pack can be alittle intimidating for a pre-schooler. They need to learn not to be afraid of firefighters.





Older children need constant reinforcement about the dangers of playing with fire. Discuss the importance of having smoke detectors in the home and practicing a fire escape plan. Know 2 ways out of every room. Know where to meet outside if you and your family have to evacuate your home due to fire. There are plenty of downloadable materials and ideas available from the NFPA web site.





http://www.nfpa.org


http://www.nfpa.org/categoryList.asp?cat...





Older kids (high school) are old enough to learn about basic rescue and fire extinguishers. Use of a fire blanket, etc. Talk about the fire-triangle (heat-oxygen-fuel) and how fire extingiushers work to extinguish fire. A CO2 fire extinguisher is a great demo tool. Go over the P.A.S.S. acronym (pull, aim, squeeze, sweep) rule about use of a fire extinguisher. Never fight a fire with a portable device unless it is small and you can fight the fire with your back to the exit.





All of these basic principles do not need a large budget.





You'll be surprised how receptive the kids are, even at the high school level so long as you keep it interesting.





As community knowledge of your program grows, you can host pecial events at fairs and parades and ask for donations to help support the program. Funds can be used to purchase activity guides, smoke detectors, etc. Consider "pairing" up with other rural departments to host a smoke trailer event. Contact fire safety companies, you'd be surprised how many would be willing to dontate detectors and extinguishers in exchange for a little publicity.





Good luck!
Reply:Check with your local fire department. They have programs and information on fire prevention for you. They can probably hep you out with rescue also. I know alot of the times the larger fire departments will go into the schools and talk to the younger children (kindergarten thru fifth grade) about fire, and what you should do if you should be involved in one, or if someone is sick how to call for help. Another idea is your local red cross, they also may have information for you.
Reply:We sent down some firetrucks from Canada to N.Y. at 9/11, so it's possible you can get free information and literature from the Ontario Fire Marshals Office.





http://www.ofm.gov.on.ca/english/FirePro...





Here is another 4.8 million web sites:


http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=na...
Reply:contact another fire department, check with them and see what they can help you with...
Reply:Contact VFIS ( Volunteer Fireman's Insurance Services). They provide more than just insurance needs. vfis.com.


Look under education and training.


firepreventionteams.us/tools


You can also contact your local fireman's association if you have one.





Look up on the web under fire prevention materials, there you can find companies that sell the different materials.





Don't forget about your fire trucks, if you have nothing else go to schools, and cub scouts, girls scouts, etc. Show them you trucks, and talk to them about fire safety.


Having a meeting place, how to dial 9-1-1, etc.





At my firehouse we do lots of fire prevention, and we have one the lowest rates of fires, especially those caused by recklessness.





One volunteer firefighter to another, good luck and thanks for your service.