Fire Department

Fire Prevention: Safety and Community Education Programs

 

fire extinguisher training
An employee gets hands-on experience with properly using a fire extinguisher.
A fire community event
Local students finishes up touring a fire truck with firefighters.
fire prevention class
The department’s public affairs specialist teaches the "Remembering When" program to mature adults.

Durham Fire Department Offers Safety Tips for Grilling Outside to Reduce the Risk of Fire or Explosion

Check for Gas Leaks

If using a gas grill, make sure there are no gas leaks by rubbing soapy water onto the gas hose and turning the gas on. If there is a leak, you will see bubbles appear. DO NOT,ignite the grill. Buy a new hose before using the grill again.

Keep Water Nearby

If this is not possible, have a bucket of water nearby anytime you barbecue in order to put out a flame in an emergency or to use on a burn.

Ventilation

Don't ever barbecue in the garage, even with the door open. The area may not be as well ventilated as you think. Barbecues produce carbon monoxide, which can build up in an enclosed area. Set up your grill in a corner of your deck or patio. Avoid grilling on a covered or enclosed porch or on top of anything that can catch on fire.

Child Safety

Keep children away from the grill. Better yet, grill away from people. The City of Durham Fire Department suggests keeping grills at least 10 feet away from your house, garage or trees. Develop a "No Play Zone".

First Aid

In addition to water, have a phone and first-aid kit nearby. Don't hesitate to call 911 in case of an emergency. Also, make sure your first-aid kit is handy and stocked with updated products for outdoor activities.

Cleanliness

Keep your grill clean and free of greasy buildup. This will enable the grill to work most efficiently and can prevent greasy deposits from catching fire, a situation you want to avoid.

Extinguishment

When shutting down your gas grill, shut off the propane tank or natural gas main shut off valve and then shut off the burner control valves. This sequence prevents residual gas from being left in the system under pressure.

When extinguishing the charcoal grill, remember to put the fire completely out. Dispose of cold ashes by wrapping them in heavy-duty aluminum foil and putting them in a non-combustible container. Be sure there are no other combustible materials in or near the container. If you must dispose of the ashes in less time than it takes for them to completely cool, remove the ashes from the grill keeping them in heavy duty foil and soak them completely with water before disposing of them in a non-combustible container.

 

Public Affairs Specialist/ Public Information Officer
Sierra Jackson
(919) 560-4242, ext. 242

Community Fire Education is one of the most vital areas in the fire service. Through education and awareness, individuals learn to recognize fire hazards and correct them. The Durham Fire Department strives to share the basics of fire prevention with citizens in order to prevent tragic incidences by fire. We work to achieve this goal by offering fire and life safety programs and resources for children, adults, seniors, teachers, and the general public.

The program creates a stronger link between the fire department and the community by instituting outreach programs such as the "Learn Not to Burn" and the "Remembering When" programs, and the smoke detector campaign. Emphasis is placed on tailoring the specific program needs of the requestor. The fire department also provides blood pressure checks.

All programs and community events are available upon request. A 30-day advance notice is required.

Programs include:

Pre-Fire Planning

Fire personnel will inspect your residence or business to determine fire safety needs, recommend suggestions based on the results, and assist with planning an evacuation route in the event of a fire.

Fire Extinguisher Training

The Durham Fire Department offers free hands-on fire extinguisher training for businesses, homeowners, organizations, and any adult interested in learning the benefits of fire extinguishers and their use. Fuel and extinguishers must be provided.

Ride-Along Program

The Durham Fire Department can provide a unique experience for individuals with an interest in becoming a firefighter. A ride-along offers a first-hand look at firefighting as a career, and provides special insight into what it takes to make a firefighting dream a reality.

*Participants of the ride along are only allowed to observe, and may not participate on emergency calls. A waiver form must be signed and the fire chief must approve participation.

Remembering When Program

The "Remembering When" program is designed prevent and/or reduce falls often experienced by senior adults. The program also addresses fire safety concerns specific to the senior population. Presentations can be tailored for individuals or large groups. The program includes:

Fall Prevention:

  • Look out for yourself
  • Tread carefully
  • Slippery when wet
  • Exercise regularly
  • Take your time
  • Clear the way
  • Throw rugs can throw you
  • Best foot forward

Fire Prevention:

  • Maintain Smoke Alarms
  • Plan and practice an escape plan
  • Give space heaters space
  • Wear fitted clothing when cooking
  • If you smoke, use large, deep ashtrays
  • Stop, drop, and roll

Learn Not to Burn Program

Learn Not to Burn is a curriculum intended for use by school teachers in planning classroom activities and can be re-used from year to year. It incorporates fire safety behaviors into regular school subjects, so youngsters absorb life-saving information while developing skills in reading, math, art, history, and science. Each lesson includes background fire safety information for teachers, discussion points, and reproducible activity sheets that can be integrated into classroom subjects such as language arts, math, art, health/safety and science.

Also included are evaluation forms to test students' fire safety knowledge both before and after the new program has been implemented. As an added bonus, fire department personnel can visit your class to reinforce the covered materials.

Learn Not to Burn Preschool Program

The "Learn Not to Burn" preschool program uses original songs, games, and activities to teach eight basic fire and burn prevention behaviors to children ages 3-5. The lessons in the program are short, simple, and encourage active participation. The program includes a 60-page teacher's guide featuring detailed lesson plans, fire safety background information, letters to parents and reproducible coloring sheets. Each lesson is reinforced with a lively, easy-to-learn fire safety song included on a compact disc of original music. Fire department personnel are available to visit classes to reinforce the covered materials.

Fire Station Tours

The Durham Fire Department provides fire station tours to individuals, civic groups, and classes. Individuals may have a look at fire equipment, apparatus, and living areas of the fire station. Fire safety information is also shared.

Smoke Detector Program

The Durham Fire Department will install a smoke detector in your home free of charge. This special service has been designed to meet the special needs of senior citizens and low income households, but is provided to anyone in need.

Fire Safety Presentations

The Durham Fire Department can conduct a fire safety presentation for any audience. The program can be tailored for businesses, health care facilities, hotels, restaurants, places of assembly, and the workplace.