Fire Prevention and Public Education

The Bradley Fire Department has been involved in the community for over thirty years doing school safety programs and other activities. The focus is on teaching about fire prevention and fire and life safety. With a grant awarded to the Bradley Fire Department in 2003, through the federal emergency management association, a safety trailer simulating a smoky environment was purchased. It also teaches children about calling 911, and dangerous things found in every home. Every fall and spring the Bradley Fire Department brings the safety to Bradley East Elementary. Every class from preschool to second grade participates in the program. The safety trailer is also brought to many special events that take place throughout the year at different locations. The Bradley Fire Department was also able to purchase a robotic dog named Freckles with the grant in 2003. Freckles travels with the safety trailer and also makes special appearances at the elementary schools. Freckles’ specialty is teaching children about fire safety. There are many important things that Freckles talks to children about, but it is even more important for parents and guardians to talk to their children about fire safety. Here are some important topics to cover with your children.

• Stop drop and roll when your clothes are on fire.
• When the smoke detector goes off, get out of the house and stay out.
• Crawl below the smoke while leaving the house
• Don’t go back for pets or favorite toys
• Meet family at a designated ‘meeting place’ when you have to leave the house during a fire
• If you get stuck in the house, do not hide from the firefighters
• Change your smoke detector batteries twice a year during time changes.
• Never play with matches, candles, stoves, microwaves, fireplaces, and fireworks.
• When and how to call 911

 Remember to go over these simple tips to make you and your child safer.

Chief Al Wingo with Sparky the bradley mascot (holding baby Dan Wilder, now a Bradley FF) 10/13/1983	Firefighters stand next to the safety house, which is used as a tool to teach children about fire safety.
Lt. Dockus gives a group of children a tour of squad 42 and explains the importance of the equipment.	Educating children on the effects of fire is extremely important. Above shows children what can happen when they play with fire.