Life Safety In The Schools

Life Safety For Young Children

The Hagerstown Fire Department visits each major child care center within our City on an annual basis. Trained firefighters teach young children basic life safety skills such as how to recognize and react to a fire emergency in progress. The firefighter´s visit supplements the care provider's use of the National Fire Protection Association Fire Safety for Young Children curriculum.

Early Elementary Age Life Safety Programs

The Hagerstown Fire Department presents annual life safety programming to each kindergarten and grade one class within our community. Firefighters use active learning techniques to teach students how to recognize and respond to emergency situations in progress.

Carmen Sense Life Safety Series

The Carmen Sense Life Safety Series is an interactive children's educational program available in CD Rom format. The program, designed for children ages 4 - 9, educates children about basic fire safety. Children learn key fire safety concepts from the animated host Carmen Sense and her teacher Firefighter Mike. The Hagerstown Fire Department provided extensive professional guidance during development of this product. In return for our assistance, we received 500 copies of Carmen for free distribution in the Washington County Public School System. For information about purchasing a copy of Carmen Sense visit Extra Sensory Productions at their website.

Fire Station Tours

The Hagerstown Fire Department is pleased to open the doors of its six fire stations to the citizens we protect. Age appropriate life safety education and information about the fire department is presented in addition to exploring the firehouse and apparatus. Six year old children learn why firefighters are important community helpers while adults see first hand the cost of performing emergency service in today's world. Visit us soon; there's much to see and learn behind those big doors. For information on touring a Hagerstown fire station, call 301-790-2476.

Children's Safety Village

Located at 1546 Mt. Aetna Road, Children's Safety Village is a million dollar, five acre life safety education complex built by and for the citizens of Hagerstown and Washington County. All grade two students from Washington County public and private schools spend two consecutive days at the center. Firefighters, paramedics and police officers present the comprehensive life safety curriculum to students. Students learn how to employ good decision making skills, prevent common household hazards, recognize and react to emergencies in progress. The professionally evaluated program is directly responsible for the dramatic enhancement of injury prevention within our community. The Hagerstown Fire Department is proud to be recognized as a driving force behind the successful creation and operation of this nationally recognized life safety program. For more information call Children's Village at 301-733-4443.

Middle School Life Safety Efforts

The Hagerstown Fire Department collaborates with middle school teachers to introduce abstract life safety thinking and problem solving techniques to students. Students learn how to conduct home safety audits and understand the consequences of a complacent attitude about life safety. The prevention of and response to life safety emergencies is also taught.

High School Life Skill Education

The Hagerstown Fire department created and supervises the delivery of a week long life safety module presented within the grade ten life skill curriculum. The nationally recognized life skill curriculum offers students information about decision making processes, peer relations, wellness and preparing for life's challenges. In addition to traditional prevention and reaction strategies, the life safety component allows students to explore abstract concepts such as the root causes and prevention of at-risk behaviors.

Life Safety In The Community

Community Life Safety Surveys

The Hagerstown Fire Department conducts residential life safety surveys on an annual basis. Each summer, fire department staff visit all households in three census tracts offering evaluation of the occupant's life safety protection. The effort is enhanced by the installation of free smoke alarms and batteries to households in need. Visitation areas are rotated each year with all city homes being visited within a four year span. This proactive life safety endeavor allows Hagerstown to maintain one of the highest smoke alarm compliance rates in America.

Free Smoke Alarm Program

The Hagerstown Fire Department can provide free smoke alarms to City residents who meet the guidelines of our federally funded program. Most residents who are on a fixed income, elderly or physically challenged will qualify for assistance. Call 790-2476 for information about this program. Important - Smoke alarms are a critical life safety device which will save lives during a fire emergency. Smoke alarms should be located on every level and in each bedroom of your home. Test smoke alarms weekly, change batteries semi-annually and replace the entire unit every ten years. Is your home properly protected?

Residential Life Safety Audits

The Hagerstown Fire Department offers free residential life safety audits for households within Hagerstown. Fire department staff can visit your home to assist in identifying and solving possible life safety deficiencies. This service is especially helpful to senior residents who may have difficulties maintaining vigilance over life safety equipment. Call 301-790-2476 for more information about a guide to life safety.

Neighborhood Life Safety Block Parties

Been to a good party lately? Want to bring something "hot" to your neighborhood and save lives in the process? Why not consider organizing a neighborhood life safety block party. Get serious about life safety and we'll bring our show to you. Picture this - your street blocked off (depending on location), neighbors meeting neighbors while grilling hot dogs, life safety games for kids, a fire safety house, music videos for teens, life safety jeopardy for teens and adults, home safety inspections and emergency apparatus on display. All it takes is a desire to make life safety a priority in your neighborhood. Neighborhood life safety block parties organized June - October. Call 301-790-2476 for information.

What's Burning In Hagerstown

Fire Experience Evaluation

With technology expanding at an incredible rate, the Hagerstown Fire Department seizes the opportunity by electronically analyzing our fire experience. Our response data identifies the leading types and causes of fire within plotted census tract areas. This information helps us identify and prioritize life safety problems within specific neighborhoods.

The Leading Types Of Residential Fire

Careless Cooking

Careless cooking results in the greatest number of fires and fire related injuries in Hagerstown. Forty percent of structure fires in Hagerstown occur as the result of careless cooking. The Hagerstown Fire Department urges citizens to maintain close supervision over cooking - most especially when frying food. If a grease fire occurs, turn off the heat and smother the fire by applying a lid or larger pan or use a fire extinguisher. Never use water on a grease fire or attempt to carry a flaming pan. If attempts fail to extinguish a small fire within thirty seconds, evacuate the structure immediately and summon the fire department.

Juvenile And Adolescent Firesetting

Fires initiated by children and adolescents account for over fifty percent of the intentionally set fires within our community. In many fatal fires involving children, it is often the victim himself who starts the fire. Young children are naturally curious about fire: what it stands for, how it burns, what makes it do what it does. Early education about the "appropriate" uses of fire is critical for pre-school and early elementary age children. Once education has been delivered, rules which prohibit the inappropriate use of fire must be established. The Hagerstown Fire Department offers a Youth Firesetting Intervention Program as part of a comprehensive variety of services designed to help our community stop this serious life safety problem. For information about youth firesetting intervention, call 301-790-2476.

Unattended Or Discarded Tobacco Products

Fires resulting from unattended or improperly discarded (lit) tobacco products have remained the leading cause of fatal fires for years. Most fires result from a forgotten cigarette falling from an ashtray onto a sofa or bed. Being under the influence of alcohol or other behavior altering substances, including prescription medications, can increase the risk of fire from lit tobacco products. If you choose to smoke, please utilize a safe area and remain alert at all times. Also, place used waste such as cigarette butts in a safe place such as the toilet or a used coffee can one quarter filled with water.

Improperly Utilized Portable Heating Appliances

Each heating season many fires occur when citizens fail to properly utilize portable adjunct heating appliances. All portable heating units are tagged with clear instructions that state the units must be kept at least three feet from all combustible items. Portable heaters are designed to be a supplement to your home's main heating system, not a substitute. Also, portable heaters should only be utilized when occupants are awake and able to supervise the operation.

Fire Prevention And Life Safety Within The Workplace

The Hagerstown Fire Department offers comprehensive fire prevention and life safety education programs designed for delivery to employees of virtually every workplace domain. Examples of our specialty areas include but are not limited to:

• business, retail, or industry
• hotel and motel occupancies
• health care centers