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Public Education can be reached at (512) 974-0290.

Fire/Evacuation Drills
The Austin Fire Department helps companies and organizations that wish to create a building evacuation plan or to conduct a fire drill. AFD will meet with representatives to help establish a plan, provide advice on the most effective means of evacuation, or actually stand by during a staged fire drill.

Fire Safety House
The Fire Safety House is a mobile replica of a two-story family dwelling built on a trailer and transported to schools and community events. It is staffed by two firefighters who make fire safety presentations on each level of the house that culminates in an actual home evacuation drill. The Fire Safety House can be reserved at least a month in advance for major events with an expected attendance of at least 250 people. It is most appropriate for elementary school aged children. For set up it requires a fairly level and accessible area at least 40 x 20 feet in size. To schedule the Fire Safety House, contact the AFD Public Education Office at (512) 974-0290.

Fire Truck Appearances
The Austin Fire Department will send a fire apparatus (engine or ladder truck) to public events such as parades or festivals upon request, as availability allows. Attendance of at least 50 people is required. Please provide at least two weeks advance notice so that an apparatus can be scheduled. AFD does not send fire trucks to individual residences. Firefighters can explain features of the apparatus, talk about the job of firefighting, and provide safety information. They generally have stickers available for children and fire safety pamphlets for adults who request them. To schedule an apparatus, contact the AFD Public Education Office at (512) 974-0290.

Safety Presentations/Speakers Bureau
Firefighters can do a presentation on fire safety, a career in firefighting, or a related topic of at the request of the group through the AFD Speakers Bureau. Speakers Bureau consists of about 50 firefighters who have expressed an interest in representing the department as a guest speaker at various functions. To arrange an AFD Speakers Bureau member to visit a group function, simply contact the AFD Public Education Office by e-mailing PubEd.afd@ci.austin.tx.us or calling (512) 974-0290. A minimum group size of 25 is required. It is recommended that speakers be requested at least two weeks before the event. This is a free service of the Austin Fire Department.

Upon request, AFD also will participate in local health fairs or expositions with an exhibition booth. A firefighter will staff the booth, which features a static display highlighting AFD actions and fire and life safety, and be available to answer questions.

For information on fire and life safety presentations to Austin area schools including day care facilites, see School Visits.

School Presentations
Firefighters visit schools within the Austin service area to deliver a message on fire and life safety; the presentations are divided into three separate formats targeted at specific age groups. All age groups are taught the dangers of playing with fire, what to do in case of a fire, and the importance of smoke alarms. Early childhood, kindergarten and second-grade classes are taught fire safety and tour an actual fire truck. First- and third-graders visit the Fire Safety House, a mobile replica of a two-story family dwelling built on a trailer and transported to schools and community events, where they complete an actual home evacuation drill. Fourth- and fifth-graders play Fire and Life Safety Bingo, which reinforces messages about proper fire safety techniques, and introduces students to first aid, cooking safety and arson awareness.

Firefighters also will schedule visits to local day care facilities upon request. They share basic fire safety information with children and show them the fire engine and what a firefighter looks like in bunker (firefighting) gear. The presentation focuses on teaching children that firefighters are their friends, not to play with matches and lighters, and how to safely exit the home in case of fire.

To schedule a presentation, e-mail PubEd.afd@ci.austin.tx.us or call the AFD Public Education Office.

Station Visits
AFD will accommodate visits to fire stations for small groups. Although no minimum number of visitors is required, this service is provided most often to scout troops and school groups. Normal hours for station visits are 9-11 a.m. and 1-6 p.m. Visitors are provided with a station tour, then can view the fire apparatus and ask firefighters questions about their job, fire safety, the station and the Austin Fire Department. To arrange a station tour, contact the AFD Public Education Office at (512) 974-0290 to schedule at least a week in advance.