1. Fire Prevention and Public Education (Fire Fighter II)
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CHAPTER 36
Fire Prevention and Public Education
(Fire Fighter II) 1

2. Fire Fighter II Objectives
Describe the activities that prevent fires and limit their consequences if fire occurs.
Identify elements of public fire safety education programs covering stop, drop, and roll; exit drills in the home (EDITH); the selection and use of portable fire extinguishers; and the importance of smoke alarms and residential sprinkler systems in preventing fire deaths. 2

3. Fire Fighter II Objectives
Explain the importance of residential sprinkler systems in preventing residential fire deaths.
Stress the importance of having portable fire extinguishers. 3

4. Fire Fighter II Objectives
Recognize hazards during a fire safety survey of an occupied structure.
Describe the steps in conducting a fire station tour. 4

5. Introduction Fire prevention is critical. Most fires caused by
Unsafe or careless acts, equipment failure, arson, or acts of nature
Many fires can be prevented. 5

6. What Is Fire Prevention?
A range of activities that are intended to prevent the outbreak of fires or to limit the consequences if a fire occurs
Enacting and enforcing fire codes
Conducting property inspections
Presenting fire safety education
Performing fire cause investigation 6

7. Enactment of Fire Codes
Regulations that have been legally adopted by a governmental body
Enacted to ensure a minimum level of fire safety in the home and workplace environments
Enforced through a legal process 7

8. Enactment of Fire Codes
Fire codes address a wide range of issues relating to fire and safety.
Most communities adopt and enforce a full set of codes.
Generally includes regulations designed to prevent fires from occurring, to eliminate fire hazards, to protect lives, and to limit fire losses 8

9. Enactment of Fire Codes
Closely related to building codes
Apply to all buildings and to many different situations 9

10. Inspection and Code Enforcement
Citizens have a legal obligation to comply.
Usually specify the types of occupancies and frequency of inspections
Responsible agency is usually named.
Does not apply to the interior of a private dwelling 10

11. Public Fire and Life Safety Education
Goal: Help people understand how to prevent fires from occurring and teach them how to react if a fire occurs.
Also teaches techniques to reduce the risks of death or injury
Designed to prevent other types of unintentional incidents and injuries 11

12. Public Fire and Life Safety Education
Fire safety education programs:
Stop, drop, and roll
(EDITH)
Installation and maintenance of smoke alarms
Advantages of residential sprinkler systems 12

13. Public Fire and Life Safety Education
Fire safety education programs (cont’d):
Selection and use of portable extinguishers
Learn Not to Burn
Change Your Clock—Change Your Battery
Fire safety for special populations
Bike safety
Fall prevention
Wildland fire prevention programs 13

14. Public Fire and Life Safety Education
Fire station tour is another common fire safety education activity.
Enjoyed by both children and adults
Excellent opportunity to promote fire prevention 14

15. Stop, Drop, and Roll
Designed to instruct people what to do if their clothing catches fire.
Stress each step of the sequence.
Stress prevention techniques.
Remind students that a blanket and a garden hose can be used to extinguish the fire. 15

16. Exit Drills in the Home (EDITH)
Teaches residents how to safely get out of their homes in the event of a fire or other emergency
Properly working smoking alarms
Bedroom doors shut
Two escape routes from every bedroom
Alert other occupants
Touch a closed door to see if it is hot 16

17. Smoke Alarms Properly install and maintain smoke alarms
Working smoke detector on each floor
Area outside each sleeping area
Tested once a month
Change the battery twice a year 17

18. Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems
The combination of smoke alarms and residential fire sprinklers can reduce the risk of fire death by 82%. 18

19. Selection and Use of Portable Fire Extinguishers
Many groups visiting the fire station will have questions about what type of fire extinguishers should be installed. 19

20. Fire Cause Determination
Process of establishing the cause of a fire through careful investigation and analysis of available evidence
Can help prevent similar fires from occurring
Important for both unintentional and intentional fires 20

21. Conducting a Fire Safety Survey in a Private Dwelling
Helps identify fire and life-safety hazards and provides the homeowner or occupants with recommendations
Cannot be conducted without the owner’s or occupant’s permission
A joint effort by the fire department and the homeowner or occupant 21

22. Getting Started Present a neat, professional image. Identify yourself.
Inform the homeowner of the purpose.
Remember that you are a guest. 22

23. Getting Started
Concentrate on the hazard categories that most often cause residential fires.
Look for fire protection equipment.
Conduct the survey in a systematic fashion.
Courtesy of Nampa Fire Department - Nampa, Idaho 23

24. Outside Hazards Ensure the house number is visible.
Look for accumulated trash.
Note any flammable materials.
© David Papazian/Corbis 24

25. Outside Hazards
Consider shrubs and vegetation that need to be trimmed or removed.
Determine the condition of the mortar in the chimney.
Ask if the chimney has been cleaned. 25

26. Inside Hazards Explain potential fire risks and hazards.
Identify alternate escape routes.
Mention the importance of EDITH involving all family members. 26

27. Inside Hazards: Smoke Alarms
Verify and test all smoke alarms.
Give residents a copy of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) fact sheet on smoke alarms.
© Monkey Business Images/ShutterStock, Inc. 27

28. Inside Hazards: Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarm tips:
Install in or near every bedroom
Mount on ceiling or high on a wall
Should not be located near windows, exterior doors, or duct vents
Only qualified electricians should install or replace AC-powered alarms. 28

29. Inside Hazards: Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarm tips (cont’d):
Should be tested at least once a month by using the “test” button
Should be dusted and vacuumed regularly
Alkaline batteries should be replaced twice a year. 29

30. Inside Hazards: Bedrooms
Common causes of fires in bedrooms:
Defective wiring
Improper use of heating devices
Improper use of candles
Children playing with matches
Smoking in bed 30

31. Inside Hazards: Kitchens
Kitchen fires are often caused by leaving cooking food on the stove unattended and by faulty electric appliances.
An approved ABC- rated fire extinguisher should be in the kitchen.
Photography courtesy of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), proudly operated by Battelle since 1965 for the U.S. Department of Energy. 31

32. Inside Hazards: Living Rooms
Primary causes of fires in living rooms are smoking and electrical equipment.
If room contains a fireplace or wood stove, ensure that no flammable or easily ignited materials are stored nearby. 32

33. Inside Hazards: Garages, Basements, and Storage Areas
Explain the importance of good housekeeping.
Gasoline and other flammable substances should be stored only in approved containers.
Fully charged fire extinguisher is recommended. 33

34. Inside Hazards: Closing Review
Listen carefully to any questions from the homeowner or occupant.
Complete the inspection form and give a copy to the family.
Review the findings and describe the steps that need to be taken.
Talk to the entire family. 34

35. Inside Hazards: Closing Review
Emphasize the importance of smoke alarms, home exit plans, and fire drills.
File your report according to the standard operating procedures of your department.
Identify hazards that require further action or follow-up. 35

36. Conducting Fire Station Tours
Help people learn how the fire department operates and how they prevent fires.
Remember that you will represent your department.
In your welcome, tell the visitors what they should do if the station receives an alarm. 36

37. Conducting Fire Station Tours
The tour format will vary, depending on the age and interests of the group.
Young children like to see action.
Courtesy of Captain David Jackson, Saginaw Township Fire Department 37

38. Conducting Fire Station Tours
Teenagers are ready for lessons that they can apply in everyday life.
Adults are probably more interested in home fire safety. 38

39. Conducting Fire Station Tours
Leave every tour group with both a message and materials. 39

40. Summary Fire prevention is as important as fire suppression.
Fire prevention includes a range of activities intended to prevent the outbreak of fires or limit the consequences if a fire occurs.
The highest priority is to prevent fires. 40

41. Summary
Fire codes ensure a minimum level of fire safety in the home and workplace.
Public education techniques reduce fire injury or death.
Public fire and life safety education programs are based on a variety of topics. 41

42. Summary
The stop, drop, and roll program instruct people what to do if their clothing catches on fire.
EDITH teaches residents how to safely get out of their homes in the event of a fire or emergency.
Safety presentations also cover installation and maintenance of fire alarms. 42

43. Summary
Many fire departments conduct safety surveys in public dwellings.
During a home fire safety survey, consider several types of hazards and issues.
Most fire departments have a set format for conducting fire station tours.
Leave every tour group with both fire prevention message and materials. 43