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Kathy Sellen
Public Education Unit
Phone: (863) 519-3473 (FIRE)
Safety Education
Polk County Fire Rescue believes in public safety education as the key to prevention. Use this form to request a safety education event for your school, business or community group. PCFR makes every effort to accommodate all requests. On occasion, our volume of requests, scheduled training and emergency calls may cause certain requests to be rescheduled, canceled or delayed.
Before requesting a program please be advised:
- Priority is given to schools, daycare centers and community/nonprofit groups providing a service or event that promotes fire and life safety.
- Fire department personnel and apparatuses do not make appearances at private parties or for-profit business functions, e.g. grand opening event for a new business, birthday parties, etc.
Thank you for your time and interest in the Polk County Fire Rescue Public Safety Education program.
When submitting a program request, please provide as much information as possible about your event and request services 10 to 14 days in advance.
Safety Education Program Request
Safety Education Classes Offered
Check, Call Compress (Hands Only CPR)
Polk County Fire Rescue offers a class in hands only chest compression CPR and AED training designed to save lives of people in sudden cardiac arrest. This class is approximately two hours and includes hands on practice with mannequins and AED practice devices. To schedule a class for your group, submit the Safety Education Program Request Form with your choice of dates and someone from our Public Education Office will follow up with you to schedule a class.
Resident Hurricane Preparedness
This class discusses how residents can prepare their children, pets, family and home for hurricane season.
This program is designed to teach children of all ages how and when to call 9-1-1, what to expect when calling 9-1-1, and encourages callers to know their full name, address and telephone number.
The Polk County Fire Rescue Safety House is available to visit schools located in unincorporated Polk to teach children and adults how to safely escape in the event of a fire. Additionally, participants will receive instruction in the proper use of 9-1-1. The Safety House is a mobile classroom setting that accommodates 25 students and classes last approximately 25 minutes.
Polk County Fire Rescue offers a class in how to properly use a portable fire extinguisher. This class is held from 6 to 7:30 p.m., once each quarter.
Classes are taught at Fire Rescue headquarters, 2470 Clower Lane in Bartow. This class will include instructional time, taught by Fire Rescue personnel and hands-on training using the BullEx Intelligent Training System. Using a controlled, propane-based fire to recreate an incipient stage fire, the ITS is designed to teach the PASS method in the cleanest, safest way possible.
To sign yourself or your group up for a class please email KathySellen@polk-county.net with your name and date choice. Class size is limited and RSVP is required. For your safety we require you to wear closed-toed shoes and long pants.
Groups can schedule a visit to the local fire station to have an opportunity to see actual fire equipment up close and where firefighters work and stay. Fire crews will remain available for call-out to other emergencies, but may show off their apparatus while not on an emergency run.
For more information on Florida Firewise, contact the Lakeland office of Florida Forestry Service at (863) 648-3152.
Friendly Firefighter (Fire Engine Visit)
This program is designed to familiarize children with firefighters and their protective gear. The goal is to create the perception of firefighters as friends and community helpers. Students will learn the pieces of protective gear and how they work to protect each firefighter.
During the Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays we talk about how to have a safe and happy holiday season.
Learn how to effectively protect your loved one and home from fires with these top tips.
How, When and Why to Call 9-1-1
This program is designed to teach adults how and when to call 9-1-1, what to expect when calling 9-1-1 and encourages callers to know their location.
Remembering When: Fire and Falls Prevention for Older Adults
Older adults are twice as likely to be killed or injured by fires or falls compared to the rest of the population. That is why Polk’s Fire Rescue offers a series on fire and falls prevention classes for older adults called, Remembering When. This program, designed by the National Fire Protection Association, focuses on the many causes of injury to older residents and how to prevent them. It is centered around 16 key safety messages developed by experts from national and local safety organizations.
Basic swimming and water safety rules for kids kindergarten – fifth grade. Learn with Timon and Pumba as they prepare to have fun in the water. This class is considered dry land education; no water/swim lessons are involved.
Polk County Fire Rescue offers a Stop the Bleed training designed to empower the general public to make a difference in a life-threatening emergency by teaching them the basic techniques of bleeding control. This class will include a lecture with PowerPoint presentation and hands on exercises taught by Fire Rescue personnel.
To sign yourself or your group up for a class submit the Safety Education Program Request Form with your choice of dates and someone from our Public Education Office will follow up with you to schedule a class.
Touch a Truck: Fire Engine or Ambulance Visit
Fire Rescue equipment from your local fire station will come to your school or nonprofit organization to give attendees a chance to see actual fire equipment up close. Crews will remain available for call-out to other emergencies, but may show off their apparatus while not on an emergency run.
Take 60 Seconds to Save a Child's Life
Pool Safety Tips
Childhood drowning and near-drowning can happen in a matter of seconds. They typically occur when a child is left unattended or during a brief lapse of supervision. Severe and permanent brain damage affects as many as 20 percent of near-drowning victims. Make sure your family is safe around water.
- Make sure pools and spas are enclosed on four sides with a fence at least five feet high with self-closing and latching gates.
- Drains in pools and spas should have anti-entrapment drain covers.
- Learn infant and child CPR and always have a phone near the pool for emergency use.
- Children should always swim under the supervision of a grown-up. Every child over the age of three should have swimming lessons.
- Children using air-filled swimming aids should always be supervised by an adult within arm’s reach.
- A U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket should be worn for water sports such as tubing, skiing or jet skiing. Air-filled aids such as inner tubes, water wings and inflatable rafts are not substitutes for approved life jackets.
- It is important for children to learn and practice water safety rules. Here are some helpful water safety rules for children:
- Children should swim only if a lifeguard or a grown-up gives you permission.
- Teach children to obey the posted rules.
Encourage children to:
- Check with the lifeguard to find out how deep the water is.
- Always swim with a buddy.
- Never jump or dive unless the lifeguard or a grown-up says it is okay to do so.
- Don’t eat candy or chew gum when swimming.
- Never swim at night.
- Get out of the water right away if you hear thunder or see lightning.
- When on a boat, everyone needs a seat and his or her own U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.