PUBLIC EDUCATION

We frequently go out into the community and interact with the public to educate people of all ages. Fire safety is a huge part of our program. During the month of October, we visit our local schools and teach approximately 2,000 children about the importance of EDITH (exit drills in the home), stop drop and roll, dialing 911, not playing with lighters or matches, and we dress up in our gear to show the children what a firefighter looks like so they aren’t afraid. We also do block parties, car seat installations, station tours, and an annual open house in October. During the open house we put on multiple demonstrations such as extrication, diver operations, station tours, fire engine tours, sprinkler trailers, and smoke house.

Recently, we teamed up with the Muscular Dystrophy Association to do an annual Fill The Boot fundraiser to help those diagnosed with a form of Muscular Dystrophy. Last year we raised over $10,000 in one day by going out into several intersections around town to raise money. We also started a program to help certain causes raise money. We donate certificates to fundraising events in our area in which the winner of the certificate gets a ride to school in a fire engine. We pick up that child from home and he or she gets to sit up front in the fire engine for a once in a lifetime experience. We also participate in multiple work expos throughout the year to promote fire safety, as well as to answer any other safety questions the public might have. lf you have any questions regarding any of our public education programs, please e-mail Ted Damos at tdamos@flfpd.org.