Public Education
At Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, we take an active role in the education of our community. Our public education program seeks to educate members of the community on many levels.
School programs:
We have been involved in the education of school-age children for many years. The current program works with the educators at our schools to teach age- and activity-appropriate material. Preschool and kindergarten classes are treated to a fire station tour and are given the chance to meet the firefighters and see the equipment up close.
First- and second-grade children are also given a tour of the station and equipment, but more education is given specific to home safety and fire safety. A special trailer is brought to the school to assist in the instructional process and it has various stations that highlight things like kitchen safety, bedroom safety, living area considerations and escape plans.
At the third-grade level, children are given a different type of instruction specific to Lake Tahoe. Winter here in the Tahoe Basin can be harsh at times, and winter safety and survival skills can be the difference between a good or bad outcome. Children are taught basic survival skills, shelters, signaling and guidance.
At the fourth- and fifth-grade levels, the children are taught outdoor safety. This event is the biggest of them all and encompasses almost a full day of activities. Though sponsored by Tahoe Douglas, it is a joint effort between several agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Coast Guard and others. There are many stations that the kids go through, which detail the importance of such things as personal flotation devices (life jackets), sunscreen and skin cancer, campfire safety, drinking and driving, and water rescue. This event is done near the end of the school year and is meant to instill a fresh perspective into the kids as they begin their summer.
Other education:
Our fire prevention division has a variety of ways to interact with our community. Fire extinguisher training is available to local businesses to assist with safety and proper technique. The prevention division is also available to meet with homeowners to discuss ways to properly landscape and perform building maintenance to maximize survivability during a wildland fire. These resources are available to members of our community year-round. Please contact our main office to learn more or to schedule an appointment with our prevention personnel.
Car seat installation:
Parents …be safe! Schedule a FREE car seat installation checks with certified TDFPD technicians. Take 30 minutes to identify the following with one of our certified installers:
- Proper installation
- Proper sizing
- Manufacturer recalls
- Other dangers
Car Seat Installation appointments can be made by calling our office at 775-588-3591 Monday through Friday 8-4pm or by emailing us at prevention@tahoefire.com.
Defensive driving:
CPR & AED training
CPR, AED, Health Care Provider Basic Life Support and First Aid classes are offered.
Quarterly classes are conducted at Kahle Community Center. For information on when the classes will be held and sign up information, contact Kahle Community Center at (775) 586-7271 .
The Fire District is one of three HEARTSafe Communities in Nevada, which is a program designed to promote survival from sudden cardiac arrest. This program recognizes and stimulates efforts by individual communities to improve their system for preventing sudden cardiac arrest from becoming irreversible death. For more information on HEARTSafe Communities, visit www.heartsafe-community.org.
For more information on classes available, contact Kelly Pettit at 775-230-4117 or the Fire District at 775-588-3591.
Fire Extinguisher Training
The Fire District offers fire extinguisher training programs to local community groups, businesses, and other interested parties. Please call 775-588-3591 for more information.
An excellent OSHA compliant self-study program is available online at www.fireextinguisher.com
Crowd Manager Training
The Crowd Manager Training is aimed at making public gatherings/assemblies safer by teaching event staff how to be better crowd managers. Fatal disasters, such as the Indiana State Fair 2011 stage collapse and the 2003 The Station nightclub fire, clearly illustrate the need for trained crowd managers to prevent repeat catastrophes.
The training is required by International Fire Code section 403. One certified manager is required for every 250 persons in groups of 1,000 or more and when required by the Fire Marshal through an assembly operational permit.
Participants who successfully complete the course will learn how to:
- Conduct pre-event inspections to identify problems with exits and egress paths and ensure required fire systems are operational.
- Use a portable fire extinguisher.
- Guide the crowd in an emergency.
- Recognize when to use protection strategies, including defend-in-place, evacuation, or partial evacuation.
- React to deteriorating weather conditions.
- Identify problem attendees and how to respond once they’re identified.
- Coordinate with emergency responders.
To request Crowd Manager Training, please contact Fire Prevention at 775-588-3591.
CURBSIDE CHIPPING
The Zephyr Crew runs a community chipping program from approximately June 15 through October 15. Crews will visit your property free of charge to dispose of cut vegetation that reduces fuel loads and wildfire hazards.