Public Education & Community Outreach
Community Risk Reduction Unit
Contact Our Fire Prevention Public Education Team:
E-mail: Noell.crosse@cccfpd.org
Phone: (925) 941-3300, ext. 1591
The Public Education & Community Outreach programs of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District is administered by a Fire Education Coordinator and is provided assistance from Fire Prevention Specialists who conduct all hazard (fire, earthquake, flood…) related public education.
Despite a long-term downward trend, the United States continues to have one of the highest fire death rates per capita in the world. Part of the reason for this is the lack of adequate public fire education resources nationwide. It is a proven fact that educating the public in matters of fire and life safety reduces casualties.
Simply stated, the goal of our Public Education & Community Outreach programs is to ensure that all of our citizens, from preschoolers to senior citizens, learn the proper actions to take in a sudden fire or life-threatening emergency.
We have a number of programs and tools to accomplish this goal. Our vision is a fire district where no one suffers a fire injury or death due to lack of knowledge or preparation.
To contact a public Educator please call (925) 941-3300 x1591. Brochures and printed information are available year-round. Public education presentations may be scheduled from October through April.
Home Fire Safety
Home fires strike suddenly without warning, leaving residents with a matter of minutes to escape. What can you do to protect your family? This program fits well into homeowner’s association groups, civic groups, and any gathering that wants to learn how to make their home safer from fire disaster to include learning to make a fire escape plan.
Please email public-education@cccfpd.org
Fire Safety for Elementary Students and Scouts
A 35-40 minute program available and tailored to Elementary, Middle and High School students, including Brownies, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Cubs, and Elementary after School programs. This is a fun educational program that teaches fire safety to include learning how to make a fire escape plan.
Please click on the following link to request a fire prevention specialist to come to your school and speak to your students or group: Request a fire prevention specialist.
Emergency Preparedness
If the big quake hit tomorrow, do you have adequate supplies to sustain your family for at least 72 hours? In this 45-minute program, your group will learn how to stock a home emergency kit, and how to react in a significant earthquake. What can you do ahead of time to ensure the quickest re-connection with your family? This program will help you to be prepared for a major disaster.
Please email public-education@cccfpd.org
Fire Extinguisher Use & Safety
Your workplace has fire extinguishers available for sudden fire emergencies, but do your employees know how to use them? Do they know when using an extinguisher is appropriate and when it isn’t? The proper use of a fire extinguisher could save lives and property. Your facility can schedule either a hands-on program (with live pan fire) or classroom training only. There is a fee for conducting the live pan fire training.
Please contact the Public Education Division at (925)941-3300 x1591 or for more information on this program please email public-education@cccfpd.org
Youth Firesetter Education
Nationally, over 50% of all arson arrests are youth under the age of eighteen. Addressing this behavior in children can help prevent injuries and property loss and is believed to reduce the number of adult arsonists in our community.
It is normal for a child to be curious about fire. Children want to learn about the world around them. Because your child is curious about fire does not mean there is something wrong with him/her. However, when the interest becomes a dangerous behavior such as unsupervised experimentation with fire, intervention is essential. If you suspect that your child is lighting fires, playing with matches, lighters, fireworks or has had even one fire experimentation incident, you need to take action. Ignoring the problem won’t make it go away. By addressing your child’s fire play early, you can take a positive step in insuring that your child will not be included as a statistic.
Please contact Julie Ormerod at (925) 941-3300 x. 1593 or email public-education@cccfpd.org.
Fire Safety in your Mobile Home
Mobile homeowners associations and clubs can help their residents become aware of the fire hazards unique to their situations. Mobile home living is popular in our fire district, and a preferred, relaxing lifestyle for many. In a sudden fire emergency however, the escape time may be even shorter. What can mobile home residents do to increase their chances of getting out alive? We will come to your next meeting with an interesting video and fire safety tips.
Please email public-education@cccfpd.org
Engine Demonstrations – Station Tours – Safety Fairs – Special Events
Contact the Public Education Unit at (925) 941-3300 x1591 or please click on the following link to request a fire prevention specialist to come to your school and speak to your students or group: Request a fire prevention specialist
Fire Safety for Senior Citizens
Seniors are at significantly higher risk of dying in a home fire than the rest of the U.S. population. What can seniors do to reduce this risk and protect their home? This program is utilized in assisted living homes, senior apartment complexes, city senior centers, and senior homeowner’s associations.
Please email public-education@cccfpd.org
Smoke Alarm Assistance Program
Smoke alarms save lives! Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. If there is a fire in your home, smoke spreads fast and you need smoke alarms to give you time to get out.
The Community Risk Reduction-Public Education Unit provides free installation of a smoke alarm for senior citizens over 60 years old or disabled citizens of any age who own their own home. We will provide a minimum of 1 to a maximum of 3 complimentary smoke alarms per household.
If you do not have a working smoke alarm, or you have a smoke alarm over 10 years old, contact the Public Education Unit to arrange an appointment. You can also fill out the Smoke Alarm Request Form and we will contact you to make an appointment within 48-72 hours upon receipt of your request.
For homeowners who are not seniors or disabled, we can assist by coming to your home and advising of the best location for your smoke alarms or carbon monoxide detector. (Please Note: CCCFPD does not supply carbon monoxide detectors)
Quick tips about smoke alarms!
- Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area.
- Install alarms on every level of the home.
- Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.
- Test your smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm
is working - When a smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside.
- Replace all smoke alarms in your home every 10 years.
Contact Our Fire Prevention Public Education Team:
E-mail: public-education@cccfpd.org
Phone: (925) 941-3300, ext. 1591
Contra Costa County Fire Protection District
4005 Port Chicago Highway, Suite 250
Concord, CA 94520-1180
General Email: info@cccfpd.org
Phone : (925) 941-3300
TTY: Call 711
Fax : (925) 941-3309
IF YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY CALL 911
In the event of an emergency
CALL 911
For fire and EMS out of area calls Call 925-933-1313
