Education - Education and Fire Safety

The Museum, in conjunction with the New York City Fire Department, operates a world-class fire safety education program designed to teach participants how to prevent fires within the home and importantly, how to protect themselves and escape should one occur.

The program consists of two components – classroom training and a simulated fire event in a mock-up home environment. During the first portion (classroom training), students are shown an age appropriate video regarding fire safety and burn prevention. Immediately following the video, a New York City firefighter leads a discussion to reinforce the safety information presented in the video.

During the second half of the program (simulated fire event), the firefighter leads the students through various rooms in a “mock” apartment. In each room (living room, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom), various fire and burn hazards are black-lit and the firefighter spends time explaining how each can cause a fire and what can be done to prevent it. When the group reaches the bedroom, the firefighter closes the door to continue his/her discussion. Simultaneously, the firefighter’s assistant fills the rest of the apartment with theatrical smoke. A smoke alarm sounds and the firefighter teaches the children how to escape, which is then practiced.

When the fire safety portion of the program is complete, the children are given a historical tour of the Museum’s first floor, “The Evolution of Firefighting” by a retired New York City firefighter.

The entire program (fire safety and historical tour) takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. The cost is $3 per child and $5 per adult. For every 10 children, one adult is admitted free. Our school tour program is run Tuesday through Friday at 10:30AM; 11:30AM and 12:30PM. Advance reservations are needed and a $30 deposit is required to secure your time slot.

Please be advised that the Museum does not have lunchroom facilities.

© 2006, New York City Fire Museum