Fire safety programs and outreach

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Fire safety programs

Guelph’s Fire Prevention Bureau offers a variety of community fire safety programs for various groups, agencies and associations throughout the city. Programs address fire safety at home (e.g. in a house, condo or apartment) and in workplaces (e.g. schools, offices, factories and stores). Public fire safety educators work closely with local school boards and are available and eager to make presentations to the community.

Request public education

School visits


Elementary schools and preschool-age daycares in Guelph receive the teaching manual Learn Not to Burn. The lessons and information, written with assistance from teaching professionals, are part of the school curriculum.

Lessons include:

  • Stop, drop and roll
  • Feel the door before opening
  • Dial 911
  • Meet at a safe place

The Guelph Fire Department schedules visits at the beginning of the school year to reinforce previously taught lessons and to introduce new students to the program. Fire prevention officers present the fire safety lessons in the classroom, based upon availability firefighters will answer questions and give students an opportunity to inspect the visiting fire truck.

Grade-specific fire safety programs

The Guelph Fire Department offers grade-specific fire safety programs for school-aged children and teens. Students will acquire the basic skills necessary to respond promptly and effectively when confronted with a fire. They will also acquire proper attitudes to aid in appropriate behaviour when dealing with fire situations. The Fire Safety Hazard House and 911 telephone simulators are demonstrated during the presentations.

Guides/Scouts

The basics of fire safety are taught to the Brownies/Cubs and Guides/Scouts. The chemistry of fire is introduced to the groups with some hands-on training on the use of fire extinguishers.

Babysitting

This program educates children about fire safety and what to do if an emergency occurs while babysitting. Lessons include fire safety, planning your escape and dangers in and around a house/apartment. We reinforce some of the points that students have been taught in the school program.

Fire Setters – The Arson Prevention Program for Children (TAPP-C)

This program is recommended for children who have set fires within or outside their home. We talk to and teach adolescents who have a fascination with fire about the dangers of fire. Children can be recommended for this program by parents, schools, and social workers if they feel there may be a danger of the child harming themselves or someone else. This is a one-on-one program, with participation by the parents.

English as a Second Language program

This program provides new Canadians, whose first language is not English, with fire safety information and training.

Disability program

This program provides information to individuals with special needs; explaining the services available to assist them in an emergency and what they should do in the event of a fire.

Seniors Older and Wiser program

This is a refresher program for older adults on what safety precautions they should be taking.

Fire extinguisher training

Participants will receive information on extinguisher types and their use in various fire situations. The training involves a lecture and hands-on training.

Portable fire extinguisher training (all season)

The Fire Prevention Bureau also offers educational programs to industrial groups, neighbourhood groups and other groups as requested. For some sessions, we suggest a minimum of 12 participants.

Outreach

Station tours

The Guelph Fire Department invites the public to visit its facilities. Your request must be submitted 60 days in advance. Station tours can be scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. No other times are available. Tours are about one hour in length.

Request a fire station tour

Please note:

  • Recommended maximum group size is 30 people and a minimum of 10 participants is required.
  • If the crew is not at the station when you arrive, please wait as they may be back within 10 to 20 minutes.
  • All fire stations are on an “on-call” status, even during the station tour. If an emergency call comes in, the tour may be ended early.
  • The Guelph Fire Department will do its best to honour your request. Should a cancellation occur your time with us will be rescheduled.
  • Transportation must remain available onsite as tours may be interrupted or cancelled on short notice due to emergency calls.
  • Appropriate adult/child ratio shall be maintained throughout the visit to ensure adequate control and supervision. This is one adult within your group for every five children.
  • Visitors will not be permitted to handle equipment or mount any fire apparatus unless approved and supervised by fire personnel.
  • These visits are meant to be educational in nature and we do not offer the facilities to accommodate parties, food or drink.

Public events and fire truck visits

Request a public event visit

Guelph Fire Department personnel will attend:

  • Career days
  • Civic groups
  • Community events
  • Life learning organizations (e.g. Scouts, Guides)
  • School events
  • Safety fairs

Guelph Fire Department personnel will not attend:

  • Birthday parties
  • Store sales and grand openings
  • Neighbourhood street parties (some exceptions)
  • Daycare/preschool under five years of age
  • Small community barbecues

Fire truck visits can be booked for your event.

Request a fire truck visit

Please note:

  • At your event site, provide a parking space for the fire truck where it can exit quickly. Our crew is on duty and may have to leave to respond to an emergency.
  • All fire stations are on an “on-call” status, even during the station tour. If an emergency call comes in, the tour may be ended early.
  • Visits are a maximum of one hour.
  • Visitors will not be permitted to handle equipment or mount any fire apparatus unless approved and supervised by fire personnel.

Fire Inflatable Fire Safety House

The Fire Safety Hazard House is a learning tool to complement existing fire safety and education programs the Guelph Fire Department offers.

Request Fire Inflatable Fire Safety House

The Fire Inflatable Fire Safety House incorporates the following fire safety components:

  • 911 simulator: training for calling 911 is demonstrated with hands-on experience for the participants.
  • Simulated kitchen: mock kitchen with stove to simulate a stovetop fire and oven fire.
  • Simulated wastebasket fire
  • Mock living room: shows safety precautions that must be taken with simulated working fireplace.
  • Smoke generating machine: smoke can be placed in different areas to give the participants a real-life experience as to what to do if they encounter smoke.
  • Escape window: escape planning and knowing two ways out. Participants are taught how to escape safely giving them hands-on experience of going through a window to a safe area by a safety ladder.