Fire Drills/Evacuation
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.
Fire Drill/High Rise Evacuation Handout (currently being updated)
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 presentation on each level of the house that culminate in an actual home evacuation drill.
The Fire Safety House needs to be reserved at least a month in advance for major events with a minimum expected attendance of at least 250 people. The house is most suitable for elementary school-aged children. Setting up will require a fairly level and accessible area at least 40 x 20 feet in size.
Fire Truck Appearances
If available, the Austin Fire Department will send a fire apparatus (engine or ladder truck) to public events, such as parades or festivals, upon request. A minimum 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.
During the appearance, firefighters can explain features of the apparatus, talk about the job of firefighting, and provide safety information. Upon availability, the firefighters will also distribute stickers for the children and fire safety pamphlets for adults who request them. To schedule an apparatus, please contact the AFD Public Education Office.
Safety Presentations/Speakers Bureau
AFD Firefighters are able to do presentations on fire safety, firefighting as a career, or any related topic at the request of the group through the AFD Speakers’ Bureau. The speakers’ bureau is a group of about 50 firefighters who have expressed an interest in representing AFD as a guest speaker at various functions.
If you would like to arrange for a speaker to visit a group function, please contact the Public Education Office. A minimum group size of 25 is required. We also recommend that speakers be requested at least two weeks before the event. This is a free service of the Austin Fire Department.
School Presentations
AFD Firefighters can visit schools within the Austin service area to deliver information on fire and life safety. Please contact the Public Education Office to schedule a presentation.
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.
Station Visits
AFD will accompany visits to the fire stations for small groups. No minimum number of visitors is required, but this service is mostly utilized by scout troops and school groups.
Normal visiting hours for the stations are 9:00 – 1:00p.m. and 1:00 – 6:00p.m. Visitors are provided a station tour, can view the fire apparatus, and can ask firefighters questions about their job, fire safety, station and the Austin Fire Department. To arrange a tour, contact the AFD Public Education Office at (512)974-0290 to schedule at least a week in advance.