Jamie McIntyre, Community Risk Reduction Manager, 509-435-7058
Thursday, March 11, 2021 at 11:42 a.m.
Adapting with our community, Spokane Fire Department expands existing grade school fire safety curriculum through support from the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) and Sound Off with the Home Fire Safety Patrol (Sound Off). The City of Spokane Fire Department is one of five local teams throughout the State of Washington participating in the two year FEMA grant funded program.
Since 1993 Spokane Fire Department has partnered with area elementary schools to provide fire safety education for 1st-4th graders. The Sound Off program expansion will allow for additional resources to be shared with elementary students and their families.
“Connecting with kids at school is so important. We hope the lessons they learn will lead to more conversations at home about smoke alarms, home fire escape planning and risk reduction actions,” stated Spokane Fire Department Chief Brian Schaeffer. “This Sound Off expansion will provides additional resources for the installation of free smoke alarms in qualifying homes, as well as a chance for families to practice their home fire escape plan, in their home, with Spokane Fire personnel during a home safety visit,” Schaeffer continued.
Sound Off with the Home Fire Safety Patrol is a school-based fire safety program created through a grant to the Michigan Public Health Institute (MPHI), a non-profit organization.
Washington, a sub-recipient of the FEMA grant, joins six other states (Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Vermont) as new Phase 1 State Teams. Each state team has selected 3-5 local teams to deliver Sound Off lessons in 2nd or 3rd grade classrooms in a total of 29 high-risk communities.
Over the coming months Spokane Fire Department will work with area schools to provide the Sound Off lessons in accordance with COVID-19 precautions. Once in-person fire safety education resumes, Spokane Fire Department will bring the updated content to schools during their in-person lessons.
To learn more visit: Sound Off with the Home Fire Safety Patrol
