Public Education

Type of Instruction: Classroom presentation from Central Pierce Fire & Rescue
Topic: Community Helpers

Our public educators and firefighters will make a visit to kindergarten classes for a 20 minute presentation all about Community Helpers. This visit includes three main lesson portions: showing students a firefighter in full gear for familiarity, practicing “get low and go” (our crawling under smoke and heat movement), and talking about how firefighters help the community.

How to participate: our educators will reach out directly to elementary schools in our fire district to schedule these classroom visits. The Community Helpers program runs from the end of April through the beginning of June.

*Our Community Helpers curriculum is modeled after Learn Not to Burn, which is programming offered by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Type of Instruction: Classroom presentation from Central Pierce Fire & Rescue
Topic: Sounds of Safety

Our public educators will make a visit to second grade classes for a 30 minute presentation all about the Sounds of Safety. Student objectives for this program include understanding what a smoke alarm is, where it belongs, what sounds it makes, and what to do when students hear it.

How to participate: our educators will reach out directly to elementary schools in our fire district to schedule these classroom visits. The Sounds of Safety program runs from the end of February through the beginning of April.

*Our Sounds of Safety curriculum is modeled after Learn Not to Burn, which is programming offered by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Type of Instruction: Classroom presentation from Central Pierce Fire & Rescue
Topic: The Great Escape

Our public educators will make a visit to fifth grade classes for a 60 minute presentation all about the The Great Escape. This program teaches students how fire behaves, the importance of having working smoke alarms in their homes, and culminates with the creation of their own Escape Plans in the event of a house fire.

How to participate: our educators will reach out directly to elementary schools in our fire district to schedule these classroom visits. The Great Escape program runs from January through February.

*Our Great Escape curriculum is a combination of educational material from the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
For families who would like more information about this critical safety topic, click here to learn more about fire escape planning.

Type of Instruction: Teacher-led
Topic: Wildfire Awareness
Google Slides – Wildfire Awareness Presentation Link, Grades 1-2
Google Slides – Wildfire Awareness Presentation Link, Grades 3-5

This presentation is designed to cover three main objectives: what do we need to know about wildfires, why do we need to plan for emergencies such as wildfires, and how can we be prepared and stay safe? This presentation typically takes around 35-45 minutes, depending on depth of discussion. The materials are separated by grades (grades 1-2 together and 3-5 together). Included in these resources is the presentation, a reading activity, a letter to families, and a resource for families.

How to participate: this presentation can be used freely by a teacher in the classroom or homeschool group at any point in the school year. May is Wildfire Awareness Month, which is a great time to deliver this to students.

*Our Wildfire Awareness curriculum is a combination of educational material from the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA),  the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. National Park Service (Smokey Bear), and Britannica Kids.

Type of Instruction: Teacher-Led
Topic: Pedestrian Safety
Google Slides – Pedestrian Safety, Instructor Overview
Google Slides – Pedestrian Safety, Classroom Presentation

This presentation is designed to cover four main objectives: describe the importance of walking, define traffic-related terms, describe and demonstrate safe walking behaviors, and to increase safe walking behaviors at home. This presentation offers short activities that can be done in any order and sequence; time is flexible depending on the need and availability.

How to participate: this presentation can be used freely by a teacher in the classroom or homeschool group at any point in the school year.

*Our Pedestrian Safety curriculum is adapted from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the City of Tacoma’s Safe Routes to School, and SafeKids Worldwide.

Type of Instruction: Teacher-Led
Topic: Making Safe & Responsible Choices
Access the Google Slides Presentation here

This presentation is designed to cover three main objectives: help students to accurately rate the level of risk in behaviors, apply responsible decision- making to reduce risks, and select safe and responsible choices in situations involving fire. This presentation typically takes around 30-45 minutes, depending on depth of discussion.

How to participate: this presentation can be used freely by a teacher in the classroom or homeschool group at any point in the school year.

*Our Safe & Responsible Choices curriculum is pulled directly from the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA).

Type of Instruction: Teacher-Led
Topic: Caring for Self
Access the Google Slides Presentation here

This presentation is designed to cover two main objectives: to view fire safe behaviors as an important part of gaining independence and responsibility and be able to describe at least 5 important home fire safety actions for teens who stay home alone. This presentation typically takes around 30-45 minutes, depending on depth of discussion.

How to participate: this presentation can be used freely by a teacher in the classroom or homeschool group at any point in the school year.

*Our Caring for Self curriculum is pulled directly from the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA).

Type of Instruction: Multi-agency presentation
Topic: Arrive Alive

This program is designed for the senior class and consists of two main parts: a live demonstration and a survivor’s presentation. This live demonstration utilizes two wrecked vehicles, fire and police apparatus, and emergency response personnel. During the demonstration, students will see the timeline of this collision from the initial 9-1-1 call to the final patient transport. Immediately following the demonstration, students will transition to the auditorium for the presentation portion with a local DUI collision survivor and advocate.

How to participate: our department will reach out directly to high school administration in our fire district to schedule these presentations. The Arrive Alive program runs from April through June to coincide with prom and graduation season.

View our Arrive Alive video here.

This program is possible through the support of our school districts and the collaboration with Puyallup Extrication Team, Puyallup Police Department, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, and Orting Police Department.

Type of Instruction: Teacher-Led or Classroom Visit
Topic: Fire Extinguishers
Access the Google Slides Presentation here

This presentation is designed to cover four main objectives: help students understand basic fire behavior, allow students to identify the classes of fire, ensure proper identification of the components of a fire extinguisher, and describe how to properly operate a fire extinguisher. This presentation is a great one-day presentation in elective classes such as culinary, shop, autos, and welding.

How to participate: this presentation can be used by a teacher in the classroom or teachers can request a classroom visit from our public educators to deliver this instruction. To request a classroom visit, please complete the event request form (linked here). Please note, all requests must be made at least 30 days in advance.

Your ability to get out of your home during a fire depends on advance warning from smoke alarms and advance planning.

Fire can spread rapidly through your home, leaving you as little as one or two minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm sounds. A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home.

Pull together everyone in your household and make a plan. Walk through your home and inspect all possible exits and escape routes. Households with children should consider drawing a floor plan of your home, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors. Make sure you have a safe meeting place for everyone to go to so you know everyone got out.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has created a short informational video on this topic. You can view it on YouTube by clicking this link.

According to the National Fire Protection Association’s Research Division, during the five-year period of 2018-2022:

> Candles caused 4% of reported home fires, 3% of home fire deaths, 6% of home fire injuries, and 4% of the direct property damage in home fires.
> U.S. fire departments responded to an annual estimated average 5,910 home structure fires started by candles. These fires cause an annual average of 74 civilian deaths and 558 civilian injuries, as well as $257 million in property damage.
> Candles were the second leading cause of bedroom fires and fifth leading cause of living room fires, as well as the eighth leading cause of all home structure fire civilian injuries.
> The rate of 94 injuries per 1,000 reported candle fires was nearly three times the rate for all home structure fire causes.
> Half of all candle fires started when a flammable piece of décor – such as furniture, mattresses, bedding, curtains, home decorations, paper, or clothing – was too close to the lit candle.
> In 21% of home structure candle fires, the candle was either left unattended, discarded, or otherwise misused.
> Over one-third of candle fires (36%) started in the bedroom. Sleep was a factor in 10% of home structure candle fires, 15% of candle fire deaths, and 18% of candle fire injuries.

It’s always safer to use battery-operated candles, but if you choose to use wax candles to brighten up your home, follow our safety advice:
> Keep clothes and hair away from the naked flame.
> Always use a suitable holder when burning candles.
> Keep candles out of the reach of children and away from pets.
> Consider an extra smoke alarm in the rooms where you use candles.
> Extinguish candles before moving them and don’t let anything fall into the hot wax.
> Extinguish candles before you leave a room and never go to sleep with a candle still burning.
> Use a snuffer or a spoon to put them out. Blowing them can send sparks and hot wax flying.
> Don’t put them under shelves – make sure there’s at least one meter (three feet) between a candle and any surface above it.
> Put them on a heat-resistant surface and be especially careful with night lights and tea lights, which get hot enough to melt plastic.
> Scented candles turn to liquid in order to release their fragrance, so always burn them in a suitable glass or metal container that can withstand the heat of the liquid.

Cooking is the leading cause of reported home fires and home fire injuries and the second leading cause of home fire deaths.

What you should know about home cooking safety:
• Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove or stovetop.
• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, boiling, or broiling food.
• If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the kitchen while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
• Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.

If you have a cooking fire
• Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
• Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number after you leave.
• If you try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and you have a clear way out.
• Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
• For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

Safety considerations for cooking with oil
• Always stay in the kitchen when frying on the stovetop.
• Keep an eye on what you fry. If you see wisps of smoke or the oil smells, immediately turn off the burner and/or carefully remove the pan from the burner. Smoke is a danger sign that the oil is too hot.
• Heat the oil slowly to the temperature you need for frying or sautéing.
• Add food gently to the pot or pan so the oil does not splatter.
• Always cook with a lid beside your pan. If you have a fire, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Do not remove the cover because the fire could start again. Let the pan cool for a long time. Never throw water on the fire.
• If the fire does not go out or you don’t feel comfortable sliding a lid over the pan, get everyone out of your home. Call the fire department from outside.

Many home fires are preventable, and with slight behavior changes, we are able to be proactive.

• Portable Heater Safety: Keep fixed and portable space heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn. Turn off heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep.
• Smoking Safety: The home is where most smoking-materials structure fires, deaths, and injuries occur. Ask smokers to smoke outside. Have sturdy, deep ashtrays for smokers.
• Matches/Lighter Safety: Keep matches and lighters up high, out of the reach of children, preferably in a cabinet with a child lock.
• Electrical Safety: Electricity makes our lives easier. However, we need to be cautious and keep safety in mind. Replace electrical cords that are cracked, damaged, have broken plugs, or have loose connections.
• Sprinklers: If you are building or remodeling your home, install residential fire sprinklers. Sprinklers can contain and may even extinguish a fire in less time than it would take the fire department to arrive. To see the timeline impact of home sprinkler systems, please view this short video.

Did you know that 4 out 5 car seats are installed incorrectly?

Central Pierce Fire & Rescue offers free car seat inspections in-person via pre-scheduled appointment, offered on Thursdays when available. If you would like to meet with our Car Seat Technician, please reach out via email to education@centralpiercefire.org! Let us check your child’s car seat and provide you with installation guidelines and tips.

Additionally, you can schedule an appointment with Mary Bridge’s Car Seat Technicians for this service. To schedule an appointment, visit their “Car Seat Check-Ups at Mary Bridge” webpage.

For additional resources on this topic, check out Safe Kids Worldwide “Car Seat Safety Tips” and the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration’s “Car Seat & Booster Seat Safety”

Washington State Child Restraint Law:
Children up to age 2 must be properly secured in a rear-facing car seat.
Children ages 2-4 years must ride in a car seat with a harness (rear or forward facing).
Children 4 and older must ride in a car or booster seat until they are 4’9″ tall.
Children over height 4’9” must be secured by a properly fitted seat belt (typically starting at 8-12 years old).
Children up to age 13 must ride in the back seat when practical to do so.

Bike Helmets

A helmet can protect your child or teen from a serious head or brain injury. However, a helmet will only protect when it fits well. Follow these three steps when fitting a helmet:

1. Helmet sits level on your child’s head and rests 2 finger widths above the eyebrows.
2. The straps are even, form a “Y” under each earlobe, and lay flat against the head.
3. The buckle chin strap is loose enough so your child can breath, but should be tight enough that if your child opens their mouth, you can see the helmet pull down on top.

FREE Bike Helmet Program

To help promote bicycle safety, we have bike helmets available for children within our fire district.

Helmets are custom fit, and the wearer must be present for the fitting. Click here to schedule a helmet fitting appointment.