Community Education Unit

Under the leadership of Fire Marshal Ed Ruckriegel, the Community Education Unit is responsible for educating the public on fire prevention and safety, as well as other injury prevention education such as child passenger safety. Much of this is done through programs such as fire safety presentations to adults and children, the Children & Fire program, and through events like Safety Saturday, Fire Prevention Week, Child Passenger Safety Seat Checks. Fire safety education in Madison is targeted for the young and elderly citizens. These two groups of people are statistically more susceptible to fire. This unit of the Fire Prevention Division provides the community with educational programs which can be designed to address the fire safety needs of the audience. Fire station tours are arranged for Scout Troops and pre-schools and fire department personnel are always eager to give presentations to professional and civic organizations. In addition to public education through programs and presentations, the community education unit serves the Madison and surrounding communities by covering and releasing information on fire department events, news, and public service announcements. All three members of the Community Education Unit also serve as the department's Public Information Officer (PIO) as they rotate weeks of being on-call.

Members of the Community Education Unit are actively involved in many organizations and groups that focus on safety and injury prevention. They include:

Community Education Unit Members

Name	Position	Phone
Lori Wirth	Community Education Specialist III - Leadworker	(608) 266-5947
Bernadette Galvez	Community Education Specialist II	(608) 261-9844
Eric Dahl	Community Education Specialst II	(608) 261-9845
Community Education Unit Offices are located at the Fire Department Administration Building 325 W. Johnson Street, Madison, WI 53703 Office Hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm General Office Phone: (608) 266-4420 General Office Fax: (608) 267-1153

Station Tours

Groups of 30 or less can book a station tour at any of the City of Madison Fire Stations. Station tours typically include an inside look at the fire apparatus, the tools that are used during a fire or other emergencies, and a demonstration of firefighter gear and how it is used. Some general fire safety information is also typically covered. Station tours take between 30 minutes and 1 hour to complete.

It is preferred that station tours be scheduled during the morning hours between 9:00 am and 10:30 am, Monday through Saturday in order to best accommodate the firefighters daily schedule. However, alternative times can be arranged, if necessary. No station tours will be given on Sundays. It is requested that all station tour requests occur at a minimum of two (2) weeks prior to the desired date. Station tour requests after 5 pm must be scheduled at least one (1) month in advance. Also, please keep in mind that the firefighters are on-duty during the tour and in the event of an emergency will have to depart quickly. Another tour can be scheduled, if necessary.

To schedule a tour please contact the fire department at (608) 266-4420 or any of the three community education staff members listed above at their direct phone line or through email (click on their name to email). Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Please have the following information ready:

Name
Organization
Contact Person & Phone Number
Date of Tour
Time of Tour
Number of Kids and their Age Range
Number of Adults
Any Special Requests
Station Number (To find the station closest to you click on the map to the left.)

Click on the link below to view a photo tour of Station 1, including a photo tour of Engine 1 and of a firefighter's gear!

Child Passenger Safety Seat Checks

All three members of the Community Education Unit and the Fire Marshal are certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians. In conjunction with the Madison Area Safe Kids Coalition, the City of Madison Fire Department holds Child Passenger Safety Seat Checks typically every second Friday and every fourth Thursday of the month at one of the fire stations. These events are used to educate and provide assistance to parents when using Child Restraint Systems (CRS). At the events a team of certified technicians will teach child caregivers and parents the basics of correct selection, use, and installation of CRS. The event also provides the opportunity to detect unsafe CRS. Parents and child caregivers are encouraged to sign up to have their CRS checked.

Car Seat Checks are by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please call 890-8999. There is an option of selecting English or Spanish.

For additional child passenger safety resource information visit the following websites:

Children Fire Safety Presentations

All staff members of the Community Education Unit are available upon request to give children fire safety presentations. Although the majority of requests come from preschools, kindergartens, grades 1-3, Scout Troops, and other children organizations, fire safety presentations can be given to kids of any age and will be tailored for the specific audience and age group. Depending on the group of children, topics might include:

Fire Safety Aerobics Program

This program is a series of fire prevention skills put together with music to help young children understand what they should do to stay safe if a fire were to occur in their home. The hands-on approach with this program makes it fun and helps children retain the information. The Fire Safety Aerobics Program covers smoke detectors, rolling out of bed and crawling low, feeling the door for heat, knowing two ways out, having a meeting place outside, and calling 9-1-1. This program requires the use of a tape recorder to play the music. For more information on this program or to schedule a presentation contact Lori Wirth at (608) 266-5947.

Hazard House

The hazard house is an excellent tool used to captivate and teach children (4th grade and up), as well as adults, how to prevent and reduce hazards in the home and what to do in the event of an emergency. The simulated smoke from a fire, smoke detectors sounding, electrical arching, and visual graphics and props draw students (young or old) into the house, captivating their attention throughout a typical 1 hour presentation. The house includes safety demonstrations and information for all the major rooms of the house including bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, stairwells, offices, basements, attics, and garages. Some of the safety topics covered include fire, carbon monoxide, electrical, firearm, and poison safety. Children and adults will learn the importance of maintaining their homes to be safe from hazards, as well as how to develop emergency escape plans in case of an emergency. The program also includes a component on neighborhood safety covering topics such as water (pool), pedestrian, playground, automobile, and bike safety.

The Hazard House was made possible through community donations from Culvers and Wal-Mart.

Children & Fire Program

The Children and Fire Program is a program which helps juvenile firesetters using safety education and counseling. The program is a cooperative effort between the Madison Fire Department Community Education and the Investigation Units. The kids are referred to the program through the schools, Police Department, concerned parents and Madison Fire Department personnel.

They range from 2 to 17 years of age, the majority are male. After a juvenile is referred to the program, initial contact is made with the family. Contact is also made at the child’s school and fire safety assignments are given. After a certain length of time and a number of follow-up contacts are made (depending on the severity of fire play), the child will complete the program. They may receive a Children and Fire Program certificate signed by Fire Chief Debra Amesqua.

Early identification of the motivation of fire setters and early intervention can help to reduce or eliminate dangers to the home and community. Whatever the cause of the fire setting behavior, it may be possible to replace it with more constructive activity. Fire setting causes may also be reduced through guidance and screening. For more information on this program contact Bernadette Galvez at (608) 261-9844.

Pull Over Please (POP) Program

Pull Over Please (POP) is an educational program that educates the public on emergency vehicles and the responsibilities and laws the public drivers should be aware of. The objectives of the program include:

The program is offered to driver education programs at local high schools and other private organizations. However, the program is also available to any group interested in learning more about emergency vehicles and driver responsibilities. For more information on this program please contact Lori Wirth at (608) 266-5947.

Adult Fire Safety Presentations

All staff members of the Community Education Unit are available upon request to give adult fire safety presentations. Requests typically come from businesses, professional groups, health care facilities, and other civic organizations. Topics presented are tailored to the audience and any special requests from the organization. Depending on the group or organization, topics might include:

Older Adult Program

This program focuses on fire safety for older adults, especially those with disabilities. The focus of the program is to educate older adults about the common causes of fire in Madison, and how to prevent them. It also focuses on how to escape from a fire and what to do if you are unable to get out. This program is ideal for residential living facilities. For more information on this program contact any one of the three Community Education Unit Staff Members.

Special Programs & Events

Fire Safety House

A donation from the Madison Area Builders Association to the Dane County Fire Chiefs Association in 1994, the Fire Safety House is a mobile structure transported to schools throughout Dane County. The Fire Safety House helps children learn how to identify fire hazards and how to escape from an actual smoke-filled room. Each year it is estimated that more than 5,000 students from schools practice fire safety in this Fire Safety House. Upon request and depending on the availability of the House, the Community Education Unit can schedule and staff the mobile Fire Safety House for schools. The Fire Safety House is shared by all fire departments in Dane County and scheduling is limited.

Oscar the Firedog

A donation from Findorff Builders, Oscar Mayer, and the American Society for Industrial Security, Oscar the Firedog is a powerful tool in delivering the message of safety and prevention to all ages. Oscar the Firedog teaches children and adults the importance of being safe in a fire and how to handle emergency situations. Oscar is the perfect way to teach children safety messages that they will enjoy and understand. Lessons include:

Image: Safety Saturday Logo

Raising Community Awareness for Safety and Injury Prevention

June 13, 2009

8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

On the Capitol Square

at Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Image: Safety Saturday Tech Rescue Demonstration

City of Madison Fire Department, in collaboration of over 25 public and private organizations throughout Dane County host the Safety Saturday event each year. Safety Saturday will be held on June 13th between 8 am and 1 pm on the Capitol Square.

Safety Saturday is an event that educates parents, children, and the public on ways to make safe decisions, prevent injuries, and to encourage the use of safety devices such as seat belts, bike helmets, and smoke alarms. Using the remarkable State Capitol Square and Dane County Farmers' Market as a setting, thousands of community members attended the Safety Saturday event each year.

Since its inception, Safety Saturday attendance has more than doubled and the number of public and private organizations participating in the event has increased from a single participant (City of Madison Fire Department) to over 25 participating organizations, located throughout Dane County, that take part in the event. Through interactive displays, games, activities, and demonstrations, the event seeks to teach kids to make safe decisions, so injuries are less likely to occur, and to help them deal with emergencies when they do occur. The interactive displays and exhibits provide attendees with hands-on learning opportunities. In addition to the displays and exhibits, past Safety Saturday events have included, Jaws-of-Life Vehicle Rescue, Technical Rope Rescue, Fingerprinting and Photo IDs, Bicycle Safety, Dog Safety and Law Enforcement Displays.

For more information on the Safety Saturday event, or to become a participant or sponsor, please contact Community Education Officer Eric Dahl at 608.261.9845.

Fire Prevention Week

Fire Prevention Week, officially sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), is an annual event held across the nation to keep the public informed about the importance of fire prevention. Fire Prevention Week 2009 has a theme of "Practice Your Escape Plan"" and occurs from October 4 through October 10, 2009.

In conjunction with the national campaign, the City of Madison Fire Department visits local grade schools (kindergarten through second grade) during the entire month of October to promote and educate children on fire safety. During this month we visit 32 schools and over 7,400 kids. Fire prevention officers and firefighters will visit the local grade schools, and through activities such as an interactive fire safety obstacle course or the Fire Safety House, educate children on lessons such as:

For more information on the National Fire Prevention Week campaign visit the NFPA website at www.firepreventionweek.org. For information on the City of Madison Fire Department activities during this campaign or to request that the we visit your school during this period, please contact Bernadette Galvez at (608) 261-9844.