Fire Department Basics and the Fire and Life Safety Educatorselected product title

Many people never experience the expertise of the local department. Unless they are directly involved in an emergency, their knowledge about the department and its members is limited. However, fire and life safety educators have the ability and duty to reach as many facets of the community as possible with safety lessons, anticipating what they need to know about the fire service both locally and universally. This interactive lesson explores the fire department's history, operations, routines, struggles, and needs.

After completing this course, the practitioner will be able to:

• Explain the reasons a fire and life safety educator needs a basic understanding of fire department operations and daily routines.
• Answer commonly asked questions about fire service traditions, history, and practices.
• Determine the level of information the public needs to know about fire department personal protective equipment, tools, and vehicles.
• Recognize and dispel common myths the public has about the fire service and local department procedures.
• Discuss the role of emergency medical services in the fire service and the information necessary for the public to work effectively with this system.
• Discuss messages the public should receive regarding behaviors that would assist the department in more effectively providing service.
• Conduct fire station tours that provide important information and interesting activities appropriate for all age groups.
• List important features of the local department beneficial for the local community to understand.

Practitioners who successfully complete the Fire Department Basics and the Fire and Life Safety Educator (Fire Edition) course are eligible for 1.0 hours of continuing education.