The New York City Fire Department offers many community outreach programs designed to promote fire safe behavior through a variety of educative mediums. Public safety education offerings include fire safety lectures, educative entertainment for children, fire department history, and fire safety demonstrations. Bilingual education and literature is available. For further information on our free educational programs or to schedule an event, please contact the OFFICE OF FIRE SAFETY EDUCATION at 718-281-3870.

FDNY FIRE ZONE:

Located in the heart of Rockefeller Center, NYC. The FDNY Fire Zone is New York City's state-of-the-art fire-safety learning center. At the Fire Zone you can learn about the power of fire. Climb on a real fire truck, try on bunker gear, meet a firefighter, feel a "hot" door, and learn to crawl through a smoke-filled hallway, even in the dark. Learn to identify hazards in your home, and help your parents make an escape plan. At the Fire Zone you'll have a first-hand experience in respecting fire and learn what to do in an emergency. Visitors are urged to take what they've learned and apply it in their own homes. Each visitor leaves with the materials necessary to eliminate fire hazards and create an escape plan for their family.

Hours of Operation
Monday - Saturday: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
Sunday: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
For more information or to schedule a visit please call (212) 698-4520
and press option 1.

PUBLIC SAFETY EDUCATION OFFERINGS:

FIRE SAFETY EDUCATION UNIT: Provides Fire Department speakers trained in basic fire safety education. Covers common fire hazards, proper use of a fire extinguisher, installation and maintenance of smoke detectors, critical evacuation skills and a video on fire safety. Literature on burn prevention tips and burn first aid is also included. Fire safety speaking engagements are structured to accommodate all ages and learning abilities. Youngster demos may include a firefighter with turnout gear.

MOBILE FIRE SAFETY HOUSE: A mocked-down, split-level version of a private home on a trailer. Infused with theatrical smoke to simulate real-life fire conditions, participants practice effective fire evacuation technique0000000000s in a realistic setting. An excellent tool for teaching Exit Drills In The Home (EDITH) - a fundamental fire safe behavior. Geared towards large groups of adolescents, the Mobile House is towed to schools, street fairs and large community events.

FATAL FIRE REDUCTION PROGRAM: Fire Department staff conducts community outreach campaigns dedicated to teaching neighborhood volunteers the basics of fire safety. In turn, these volunteers pass on their knowledge to area residents. Topics include smoke detector education, home fire extinguisher use, fire safety inspections and family escape plans. Interested volunteers are trained in a variety of settings including community meetings, neighborhood events and PTA meetings.

THE NEW YORK CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT MUSEUM AND LEARNING CENTER: Located in a renovated 1904 firehouse in lower Manhattan, this unique museum houses one of the most comprehensive collections of fire-related art and artifacts from the early eighteenth century to the present. Of special interest is the permanent display of early fire trucks and apparatus. Hundreds of photos and mementos bring to life the fascinating history of fighting fires in New York City. Educational as well as entertaining, the museum also boasts the award winning Fire Safety House. This mock apartment reproduces inherent fire dangers common to any home. Equipped with lasers, black lights and theatrical smoke, it was developed to increase awareness of fire hazards in the home and to promote safer living environments. The additional experience of a simulated fire emergency is used to underscore the need for safe and orderly escapes from fire. The museum is opened to the general public and also offers walk-through tours for schoolchildren, day camps and youth and senior groups. General public hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Group tours are available by appointment only-Tuesday through Friday at 10:30am and 12:30pm only. The museum also accommodates limited tour groups on weekends. The Fire Museum is located at 278 Spring Street in Manhattan. For further Information or to schedule a visit, call the New York City Fire Museum at (212) 691-1303.

RECENT FATAL FIRE INTERVENTION PROGRAM: A recent fatal fire is defined as a death resulting from fire within the New York City area. Upon official notification of a fatal fire death, the Fire Safety Education Unit will review the fatal fire reports and schedule an immediate intervention visit with the community council meeting. The nature of this visit will be to explore the specific behavior employed by the fire victim. If contributory behaviors, such as smoking in bed, are identified various preventive measures will be introduced to decrease the occurrence of similar incidents. Fire safety videos and literature will be distributed to the community to enhance understanding of fire safe behavior.

"HOTDOG" THE FIRE DEPARTMENT MASCOT: Hotdog is the latest member of the Fire Safety Education team. He is a big lovable Dalmatian dog (actually a trained firefighter in costume), available to provide educational entertainment on fire and burn safety to all New York City children in a variety of public settings. Popular hot spots include schools, hospitals, health fairs, parades, or anywhere he is requested. A trained "handier" accompanies Hotdog on all his outings, distributing Fire Department coloring books, plastic fire helmets and age-appropriate literature on fire safety.

FIRE C.A.P: The acronym stands for Children's Assistance Program, but it is for anyone in need of emergency assistance. Anyone who needs a safe haven can go to any of the 226 firehouses in New York City or to any fire apparatus observed in the street and request assistance. The Fire Company will provide safety and shelter until the proper agency or authority can be contacted, and the individual is placed in their care.

TEACHER'S TRAINING PROGRAM: This innovative new program is based on the assumption that New York City's school teachers are in the best position to effectively teach fire safety education to the school population. The Fire Department works in conjunction with the Board of Education to organize teacher-training sessions designed to familiarize teachers with student-oriented fire safe education. The educational methodology and associated literature necessary to introduce basic fire safety into the teaching curriculum accompany the teacher training sessions