Public Education

The Fire Prevention Bureau is responsible for presenting Fire Safety programs for all citizens of Independence. We have programs for everyone from 3 years to 103 years of age.

The concept of Fire Safety education is designed to increase knowledge, and to develop and change attitudes of men, women, and children toward fire.

Juvenile programs which are presented at Fire Station #1 (24 Highway and Spring), consist of station tour, truck or pumper demonstration, video and fire safety talk. Programs that are presented at schools, churches and other locations throughout the city consist of all the aforementioned, with the exception of the tour. When a group visits another station, the program consists of a station tour pumper. Demo material covered is graded to the age of the group.

Summer programs are designed to stress safety, the building and the use of campfires, and to reinforce the idea of good fires versus bad fires. Smokey the Bear is used a great deal in the summer programs. Also included is a discussion and review of camping safety, which helps compare the use of good fires and how fires can become bad fires. The EDITH program, Exit Drills in the Home, is reviewed. Preparing a home evacuation plan and practicing fire drills with the entire family is urged. In addition, the children are encouraged to practice fire drills at their grandparents homes.

Adult programs are adapted for specific occupations or groups of people being addressed. The number of adults who participate, continue to increase.

Presentations in the work setting are directed toward the occupation. Warehouses, group homes (staff/residents), medical offices, restaurants, and other city departments are examples of the variety of workplaces accommodated.

The Fire Prevention Bureau has presented programs to local nursing home staffs for several years. This program includes fire safety in the nursing home, a fire extinguisher demonstration, and hands-on experience. The demonstration also explains extinguishing a bed fire and includes a practice session.

The Senior Citizen program includes high-rise fire drills, which are followed by question-and-answer sessions. Several senior social groups have also been recipients of Fire Safety for Seniors talks. In addition, a video on fire safety is presented and specific fire hazards, pertinent to senior citizens, are discussed.

The Fire Prevention Bureau has an assortment of video tapes, handout material relevant to every age.

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