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

Children's SAFE Program
The AFD Children’s SAFE (Safety and Fire Education) program provides fire safety education to young children and adolescents who have set fires or been involved in fireplay. If necessary, referrals are provided for therapy and counseling for young habitual firesetters, and education is provided for parents of such children. The initial educational services are free of charge. Any parent or guardian who suspects their child may have a problem with fire should call the SAFE program coordinator at (512) 854-4357.

Day Care Visits
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.

Fire/Evacuation Drills
The Austin Fire Department helps companies or organizations wishing 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.

Free Smoke Alarms
The AFD Public Education Office will provide a free smoke alarm to Austin families that cannot afford them. The only requirements are that the resident owns and resides in the home, that the home does not currently have a smoke alarm or it is more than 10 years old, and that the combined family income is less than $42,000. Free smoke alarms are also provided for elderly citizens in need regardless of income. Call the Smoke Alarm Hotline at (512) 974-0299 to make a request or for more information.

Health Fair/Expos
Upon request, AFD 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.

Fire and Life Safety Day
Firefighters visit schools within the Austin service area to deliver messages 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 detectors. 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. This program reaches about 45,000 students a year.

MATT's House
AFD's Mobile Apartment Teaching Trailer (MATT)'s House is used for live fire demonstrations at various locations. The trailer is decorated to resmble a bedroom, living room, or other venue, depending on the audience. It drives home the fact that fire is extremely hot and spreads rapidly. MATT's House has appeared at the UT campus, 6th Street downtown, apartment complexes, and other locations around town.

Safety Camp
Each summer a unique camp with a specialized agenda and activity schedule is held for nearly 300 Austin youths, ages 8-14. The event is sponsored jointly by AFD, Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services, the Austin Police Department, and the Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD). It teaches young people about fire, medical, and personal safety in a fun and memorable way. Activities are led by volunteers from each department, who also act as role models and teach the value of teamwork. Most of the campers are enrolled in community recreation programs throughout the city.

Smoke Alarm Drives
Each year AFD schedules two annual smoke alarm installation drives in neighborhoods that have a significant number of low-income residences and/or a high incidence of home fires. Firefighters offer to check existing smoke alarms, provide new batteries, or install new smoke alarms. Residents also are offered a home hazard assessment, which is a 16-point check for fire hazards commonly found in homes. Approximately 300 homes are visited during the drives. In addition to the semi-annual drives, AFD offers free smoke alarms and batteries to families with a combined annual income of $42,000 or less throughout the year.