Fire Safety Presentations

The City of Delray Beach Fire-Rescue believes in preventing fire deaths and injuries by teaching fire-safe behavior.  Our presentations are customized to the appropriate age level and group we are speaking too.

4-7 years old - This age group is taught to identify the difference between tools and toys, and that lighters and matches belong in adult hands. We discuss how to react if a house is on fire. We demonstrate the sound of a residential smoke detector, and talk about the role they have in saving lives.  Most importantly, we discuss how to get out and stay out of a burning home. We also address how to choose a safe meeting place outside the home and call 9-1-1.

Quite often, one of the firefighters or the teacher will dress up in firefighting (bunker) gear. This helps us to show the children that firefighters are their friends and that we are there to help them.  If the trucks are available, the children will be able to go outside and look at the trucks and get a few class pictures with some of The City of Delray Beach Fire-Rescue firefighters.

7-14 years old - This age group is taught about the dangers of lighters and matches.  We discuss in more detail, the importance of having a home escape plan and practicing a fire drill in the home, how to react to the sound of a smoke detector, crawling low and go, and to get out and stay out. Then we talk about choosing a safe meeting place outside the home and calling 9-1-1.

We conclude the presentation with this age group with someone dressing up as a firefighter. We may choose an adult in the room like one of the teachers or parents and may even have one of the children dress up. Then if the trucks are available, the children will be able to go outside and look at the trucks and get to learn about some of the equipment and tools. Note to Teachers and Parents, bring your cameras!  This is a great photo opportunity for everyone.

Middle School -Optional lesson outline- This lesson addresses the dangers of lighters and matches and the consequences of experimenting with fire and initiating false alarms.

Then we have a class discussion about the importance of practicing a home escape plan and two ways out of every room, "Crawl Low and Go" - crawling low underneath smoke, getting out and choosing a safe meeting place outside, and calling 9-1-1. On occasion, we may use a video to reinforce the subject matter.

Teens and Adults - We talk about kitchen fire safety and the proper technique to extinguish a cooking fire, first aid for burns, excess storage, blocked exit ways, and common electrical hazards. Major emphasis is placed on developing and practicing an escape plan in the home and when on vacation at someone else's home or at a hotel. Finally, we close the presentation with a conversation about the devastation that lighters and matches can do when in the wrong hands.

If you have any questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact our Community Education Specialist, Lt. Curtis Jepsen at (561) 243-7456 or jepsen@mydelraybeach.com.