MFD COMMUNITY RELATIONS

There are 21 programs offered by the MFD Community Relations Department. The department is committed to community outreach and serving the citizens of the City of Milwaukee. If you would like to take advantage of one of the programs offered by the MFD Community Relations Department, please completely fill out and submit the online Program Request Form. All 21 programs can not be requested by the public. The program request form lists the programs that can be requested. Request forms will only be accepted for events that are more than 3 weeks away.

                                        Programs offered by the MFD Community Relations Department:

1. Career Opportunities & Recruitment: Firefighters/EMTs or paramedics talk about their careers and what it takes to become a Fire/EMS professional. Offered preferably to groups ages 15 and above.

2. Elder Safe Program: Outreach program for elderly that apprises them of the services offered by the Milwaukee Fire Department and other agencies (i.e. home safety, evacuation).

3. EMS Presentations/Stroke Screening: Active EMTs or paramedics staff public information booths, answer questions, pass out literature, and assist with stroke screening.

4. Evacuation & Emergency Preparedness Seminar: Safety program that promotes emergency preparedness. Topics covered include various emergency situations. Staff is shown how to set up procedures that fit the need of their facility.

5. *Explorer Post Milwaukee Fire Department: Gives young people valuable insight into the firefighting profession. This allows the individual to decide whether to pursue a greater role in the fire service. By participating in the Fire Explorer program, the individual will gain personal confidence, learn how to use various tools, develop mechanical skills and gain greater awareness of personal and fire safety. Click here to learn more.

6. Fire Apparatus Exhibitions: Active Fire/EMS companies give demonstrations to the areas they serve. Appearances may be shortened or canceled due to emergency service.

7. Fire Education Booth: Active Fire/EMTs or Paramedics staff public information booths to answer questions and pass out literature.

8. Fire Extinguisher Safety Certification: Training for civilians in the proper selection and use of portable fire extinguishers, includes a film and lecture. A hands-on demonstration with live fire is available only at the training academy facility.

9. *First Responder: Engine and Truck Companies in the city are provided with smoke detectors and batteries. This program allows fire companies an opportunity to install smoke detectors and/or batteries where needed after an initial alarm has been addressed.

10. *F.O.C.U.S Community Fire Safety Campaign: Firefighters Out Creating Urban Safety. Fire companies go into areas of the city where the fire loss rate is abnormally high. A door-to-door campaign intended to promote fire safety awareness and proper use of smoke detectors.

11. Historical Museum: A facility located at 1615 West Oklahoma Avenue. Elementary school children are taught home fire safety. This program is set up to help children reduce their fear and panic in fire situations, familiarize and teach them proper evacuation techniques, the proper way to report a fire, and increase their knowledge of fire prevention. Click here to learn more.

12. Juvenile Firesetter Counseling Program: A program aimed at counseling young people who have a history of misusing flammable materials. Firefighters/EMTs and paramedics help juveniles and their families understand the destructive nature of fire.

13. Multi-Media: Assistance with getting the fire safety message out through the media.

14. Occupational and Residential Fire Safety Presentation: A presentation customized to fit the needs of the audience. Given to schools, businesses, etc. Available to all age groups.

15. Poster-to-Billboard Contest: Established in 1999, this contest is another way to get the fire safety message out. City of Milwaukee Public School students create posters on their interpretation of a given topic. The winning poster is made into a billboard to be displayed during the month of October. This contest starts in September and winners are selected by the first week of October (Fire Prevention Week). Click here to view the 2008 winners.

16. Project Staying Alive: The purpose of this program is to reduce violent injury in the City of Milwaukee using Milwaukee Fire Department personnel as primary presenters. This project is being modeled after the highly successful Survive Alive Program. The primary focus of this program will be anger management education presented to sixth-grade students at schools within the grant authority. Click here to learn more.

17. Sesame Street Fire Safety Program: This program uses Sesame Street characters to teach lessons on smoke detectors, what to do in case of a fire, and explains the role of a firefighter. The program is recommended for preschool and early elementary school children.

18. Smoke Detector Hotline: City of Milwaukee residents who are in need of a smoke detector can call the hotline to have fire department personnel come out and install one for them. The hotline number is: 414-286-8980.

19. *Survive Alive House, Milwaukee Public Schools: The Survive Alive House is located at 2059 South 20th Street. Elementary school children are taught home fire safety and safe exit from a simulated burning building. Classes are scheduled subject to vacancies in the MPS programs. Click here to learn more.

20. Survive Alive House, Mobile Units: The Survive Alive mobile unit is set up like the Survive Alive House where preschoolers and elderly are taught fire safety and exit practices from a simulated burning building. Presentations are made at various locations throughout the city and at major festivals.

21. Tour of Engine House, Milwaukee Fire Department: Supervised small groups arranged with engine house personnel to tour their facility.

*These programs can not be requested by the public.