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Fire Prevention Program
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
Each year we recognize National Fire Prevention Week during the first week of October. In the United States, the first Presidential proclamation of Fire Prevention Week was made in 1925 by President Calvin Coolidge. Fire Prevention week commemorates the Great Chicago Fire of 1911. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) continues to be the international sponsor of the week.
Throughout the year and specifically during the month of October, we participate in multiple programs and events to promote fire safety. These events include National Night Out, school visits, station tours, fire extinguisher training, and appearances at special community events including Depot Day, Spring Fling, parades, and others. GFD is also closely involved in the local schools and offer programs to promote fire safety, mentoring, and inspiration to students. For more information on fire safety, we invite you to visit he National Fire Protection Association.
Station Tours
We are proud to offer tours for schools, home-study groups, boys and girls clubs, churches, civic clubs, or any other interested groups or individuals. Station tours consist of a detailed look into a firefighter’s workday, a tour of the living area of the fire station, description of the job that firefighters perform, and an up-close look at the fire engines and equipment used by firefighters daily. The station tours educate children about fire prevention using a variety of age appropriate techniques. To schedule a station tour, email tsieger@gvps.org or call 940-668-5731.
Sparky ®
Sparky ® the Fire Dog is a friend that lives at the fire station and helps to educate our youngest residents in Gainesville. “Sparky®” helps demonstrate life at the fire station and what firefighters do each day, including the firefighting gear worn by firefighters. Sparky has made special appearances at station tours and in the annual Christmas parade.
Sparky® the robot is the newest addition to our Public Education Program. Sparky® the Fire Dog is the National Fire Protection's (NFPA's) mascot for fire safety. He rides around in his very own miniature fire engine talking and interacting with residents of all ages, providing a fun and interactive fire safety experience.
Visit Sparky ® and play the interactive games to learn more about keeping you and your family safe.
*Sparky ® photo credit: Alec Hilliard Photography.
Fire Extinguisher Training
Gainesville Fire-Rescue offers a hands-on fire extinguisher safety courses to interested individuals, groups, or businesses. The one-hour course instructs the class on selecting the proper class of fire extinguisher, choosing a location, and how to properly and safely use a fire extinguisher. For more information or to schedule training, contact the Fire Prevention email jstevens@gvps.org or call 940-668-5732.
FLAME-OUT FIRE PREVENTION Clown Program
The dynamic and entertaining Flame-Out Clowns are a group of firefighters that provide safety messages and educate students in a fun and interactive program. Each year, the Flame-Outs develop a new skit that is performed for all local elementary schools during Fire Prevention Month. Safety messages include Stop Drop and Roll, Get Out-Stay Out, Crawl Low in Smoke, Exit Drills in the Home (EDITH), water safety, fire safety and other life safety messages.
F.A.R.M PROGRAM (FIREMEN AS ROLE MODELS)
Gainesville Fire Rescue’s F.A.R.M is designed to develop relationships between students who lack a positive male role model and where the students can be taught courtesy, respect and other good manners, in hopes their behavior in class would be improved and their self-worth enhanced.
Two days per month, between November and May, the engine companies of each of the three shifts spend time in a classroom for 1 1/2 - 2 hours at a time to mentor and to make a positive impact on students.
slow down - school is back in session
The "Slow Down - School is Back in Session" program is designed to increase safety and awareness in the school zones on the first three days of school each year. We stage at the school zones in large fire apparatus with signs reminding traffic traveling through school zones to slow down, and remind drivers that school has started back, to slow down and be aware of increased traffic in the school zones and students crossing the street.
Stop, drop, & read program
The Stop, Drop & Read Program is designed to encourage and reward students for Reading during the school year. Students that have read the most books or shown the most improvement in reading are selected by their librarian or teachers and get rewarded with breakfast at the Fire Station with Firefighters. After breakfast the students get a tour of the Station and Fire Apparatus and then get to ride to school and get dropped off by the Firefighters in the Fire Truck. Each student is provided a red backpack with Gainesville Fire Rescue.