Public Fire Education

Public Fire EducationIntermediateSFFMA Objectives: 31-02.01 31-02.033Hrs receivedSFFMA Objectives31-02.01 Trainee shall identify and demonstrate inspection procedures for private dwellings. 31-02.02 Trainee shall identify and demonstrate the proper placement, testing and maintenance of smoke detectors in private dwellings. 31-02.03 Trainee shall identify the elements of a home fire escape plan. Residential Fire Safety SurveysCan only be conducted on a voluntary basisRequire great deal of advanced planning and publicity Main objectives

Firefighter II163(Continued)Residential Fire Safety SurveysProvide other benefits in addition to reducing loss of life and propertyIncrease fire awareness, interest in public education effortsFirefighter II164(Continued)

Residential Fire Safety SurveysMay be the best time for firefighters to distribute literature, promote programsMay include special cards or slips Provide firefighters with valuable informationFirefighter II165Residential Fire Safety Survey GuidelinesConduct surveys in teams of twoDress and act professionallyIntroduce team, provide proper identificationFirefighter II166(Continued)

Residential Fire Safety Survey GuidelinesExplain survey procedureMaintain courteous, businesslike attitude Focus on preventing fires, eliminating threats to life safetyFirefighter II167(Continued)Residential Fire Safety Survey GuidelinesCompliment occupants when favorable conditions foundOffer constructive suggestions for correcting/eliminating hazardous conditions

Firefighter II168(Continued)Residential Fire Safety Survey GuidelinesSurvey all roomsDiscuss survey results with owner/occupant, answer any questions Firefighter II169(Continued)

Residential Fire Safety Survey GuidelinesThank owners or occupants for invitation into their homesKeep survey confidentialIf no one home, leave appropriate materials between storm door and front door or partially beneath doormat

Firefighter II1610Common Residential Fire CausesMalfunctioning heating appliances and water heatersCombustibles too close to heating appliances or lampsUnsafe cooking proceduresSmoking materialsFirefighter II1611(Continued)Common Residential Fire CausesOverloaded extension cords and multiple-outlet devicesExposed electrical wiringDefective electrical appliancesFirefighter II1612(Continued)

Common Residential Fire CausesImproper use of combustible or flammable liquidsPoor housekeeping Untended candles Firefighter II1613

Address During Interior SurveysCombustible materialsAppliancesElectrical wiring/equipmentPortable heating unitsWoodstoves/fireplacesHeating fuel

Firefighter II1614(Continued)Address During Interior SurveysGeneral housekeeping practicesSmoke alarmsElectrical distribution panelsGas appliancesOil-burning unitsFurnacesFirefighter II1615(Continued)DISCUSSION QUESTIONWhat is a good way to remind people when to change their smoke alarm batteries?

Firefighter II1616

Address During Interior SurveysWater heatersShop/work roomsAccumulated wasteFlammable liquidsFirefighter II1617Address During Exterior SurveysRoofChimneys/spark arrestorsYard/porch areasBarbecues and fuelFirefighter II1618(Continued)

Address During Exterior SurveysOutside waste burnersGarages, sheds, barns, outbuildingsFlammable liquids/gasesLightning protectionSecurity devicesPower linesFirefighter II1619

Home Safety IssuesMaintaining clear/unobstructed exit pathwaysSafety concerning waterFirefighter II1620Fire and Life Safety Messages Must BeAccuratePositiveTargeted to specific audienceFirefighter II1621

Accurate MessagesConveying wrong information can be deadlySources available to assist in verifying accuracy of contentFirefighter II1622Positive MessagesAdults want to know what to do without being scaredPositive messages more likely to be remembered during emergencyFirefighter II1623Targeted MessagesFire, life safety educational messages can be based on variety of issuesAudiences may varyKnowing audience helps prepare needs-specific presentationFirefighter II1624Presenting Fire, Life Safety Education for AdultsTeachable momentsBasic four-step method of instructionFirefighter II1625Basic Four-Step Method of InstructionPreparationPresentationApplicationEvaluationFirefighter II1626

DISCUSSION QUESTIONWhat should be done if mistakes are made while participants are practicing skills and techniques?

Firefighter II1627

Presenting Fire, Life Safety Information to Young ChildrenChildren often interpret literallyChildren have limited attention spansRemain flexible when presenting information

Firefighter II1628(Continued)

Presenting Fire, Life Safety Information to Young ChildrenWhen in a classroom, decide with the teacher ahead of time how questions will be handledGet down to the childrens eye level Ask a misbehaving child for help to provide redirectionFirefighter II1629(Continued)DISCUSSION QUESTIONWhat is the best way to handle questions from a group of young children?

Firefighter II1630

Presenting Fire, Life Safety Information to Young ChildrenDO NOT scare children! Remember that firefighters in protective clothing and breathing apparatus can be very frightening to children

Firefighter II1631(Continued)Presenting Fire, Life Safety Information to Young ChildrenChildren learn by doing, not by listeningHome fire safety concepts are complicated, so messages for young children must communicate basic simple conceptsFirefighter II1632Stop, Drop, and RollDo more than simply inform of actionsPoint out if someones clothes catch on fire, bystander may need to assist themFirefighter II1633

Home SafetyPromote home escape plans, Exit Drills in the Home program, similar effortsCommunicate fire, life safety rules to residential occupantsFirefighter II1634

CandlesOpen flame that can ignite nearby combustiblesAccounted for 4 percent of all reported residential fires in 2004Safety messagesFirefighter II1635Smoke AlarmsMay be battery-operatedMay be part of security alarm system hardwired, monitored by central alarm, reporting stationFirefighter II1636(Continued)

Smoke AlarmsLocationMaintenance, testingCarbon monoxide detectors

Firefighter II1637