School Programs

A chief focus of the fire department's responsibilities is to educate city school students in fire prevention. This education starts as young as preschool and continues all the way through to the post-secondary level. Trained department personnel visit schools with special programs geared toward each age group. Education in fire prevention is a major factor in protecting people from the dangers of fire and the earlier this education starts, the more effective it is.

To have a Fire Prevention Inspector visit your classroom, teachers are asked to please contact the Owen Sound Fire & Emergency Services Department at 376-2512 or e-mail at need e-mail address here! A time will be set up for staff to spend time with your class.

Daycare Centres/Kindergarten

Young children are taught basic principles about fire safety:

• What's Hot and What's Not?
• What is an Emergency?
• Dailing 9-1-1
• Stop, Drop and Roll (Download Sparky's Stop, Drop & Roll Sheet in PDF format)
• Sparky's ABC of Fire Safety

Grade One

A more hands-on approach is taken at this level:

• Fire Truck Visit to Class
• The Fire Prevention Inspector takes a pumper to class and time is spent outside the classroom with the truck to discover how it works.

Grade Two to Four

Fire Prevention Week Activities for this age-level include:

• Class visit to discuss 9-1-1
• What is an Emergency?
• What are Safe Toys?
• What Equipment Can Help You Play Safe?
• Get Out and Stay Out
• Home Fire Drills
• Test Your Smoke Alarm
• "Sparky's ABC of Fire" Video

Grade Five

A Fire Safety Poster is held annually each spring and is open to all Grade 5 students in the City of Owen Sound. The poster must contain a fire safety message. For the winners:

• 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prize winners receive a monetary award and their posters are entered in the Grey County Poster Contest.
• Firefighters for a day with the Owen Sound Fire Department, spending an entire summer's day at the fire hall.

Fire Prevention Week Activities for Grade 5 students focus on the topic of "Fire Safety in the Home" including a class visit by fire department personnel. Topics include:

• How Smoke Alarms Work
• What is Fire?
• Basic First Aid to Treat a Bleeding and/or Choking Victim
• What is Risk and How Can You Decrease Risk?
• Playing Risk-Free
• How to Use a Portable Fire Extinguisher

Secondary Level

• Co-op Education Programs
• Liaison with School Guidance Departments for Career Direction

Post-Secondary Level

• Class visits to nursing and PSW programs to discuss fire safety and actions to take in case of fire