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Everyone always associates the fire department with big red trucks, lights flashing and siren blaring responding to a fire, firefighters in heavy equipment rushing in to the rescue. In reality this is just a small part of the job we do. And even with the best response time, the most up-to-date equipment we won't be there fast enough to prevent fires from causing injuries and damage. The only way to do that is to prevent fires from happening in the first place which is our main focus. How do you save lives and reduce property losses? Through public education. Our hope is that by discussing fire safe behavior we can modify people's everyday habits to include fire safety aspects in everything they do. The Public Education Division, spearheaded by Captain Gord Kuzniak, attempts to reach all citizens of the community and provide them with helpful information and training. Correct information on smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers are available through this group. But their specialty is talking directly to area residents through short speaking engagements, static displays at community functions, visits to the area schools and implementation of the Alarmed for Life smoke detector campaign. The programs used in educating the public are the same programs that have been adopted by fire departments across North America. In this way our education effort can complement and be aided by the actions of all other fire departments engaged in public education efforts. After The Fire provides the victims of a traumatic fire with the necessary information to help them rebuild their lives immediately following the fire. Exit Drills In the Home teaches children and adults alike to plan for a fire in their home through the development of a home escape plan. The Learn Not to Burn program is a series of 22 fire safe behaviors that are taught to area school children as part of their regular school studies. Our firefighters provide the resources and assistance to teachers in delivering this important teaching program to our most valuable resource, our future, our children. The Alarmed for Life program is an initiative to put a smoke detector in every home in the community. Any residents unable to purchase or install a smoke detector will be provided with one upon request. If the homeowner asks, the firefighters will go to their home and help to install the detector in the best location. The Older & Wiser program is a relatively new effort to the GVFD. Through this education program we hope to reduce the incidents of fire deaths and injuries to our older adult residents. Firefighters will speak to any group of adults on aspects of fire safety in the home. TAPP-c program (The Arson Prevention Program for Children) is an effort to reach out to our younger residents who might be displaying unsafe fire behaviors. This program runs in conjunction with the local mental health associations to reach this important group.
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