The K-W Fire Education Vehicle Van and Safety House make up a "state of the art" education tool used for teaching fire safety.
The Kitchener Fire Department and the Waterloo Fire Department have been working in cooperation with Coldwell Banker, Peter Benninger Realty over the past number of years to further public education within the twin cities.
These fire safety vehicles can go directly to the schools, making it easier for educators to take advantage of the service. The mobile aspect also means thousands more people will be helped because of the different displays and demonstrations that can be offered outside the normal curriculum, such as industrial or residential training seminars, various workshops and special occasion events.
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The Fire Education Vehicle is a 15-foot Ford Aeracell Fiberglass Van equipped with a 7.5L V-8 engine for towing. It is equipped with two computer stations with software covering everyday home fire safety, fire prevention tips that might save lives, and information about specialized fire department equipment and firefighting procedures. The vehicle has internal and external visual and audio equipment to display a variety of fire safety messages to the public, including inter-changeable display boards, photos and many learning aids. |
The vehicle is a mobile classroom with the newest fire detection devices, alarm equipment, illuminated exit signs, emergency lighting and portable fire extinguishers. It has non-slip flooring throughout, emergency power supply if a power connection is unavailable, and two separate entrances equipped with steps and railing.
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The Fire Safety House is a scaled down replica of a typical home. It is approximately 8,000 pounds in weight, 1,500 pounds tongue weight, 13 feet 9 inches in height and has electric air brakes. The Safety House is equipped with portable fire extinguishers, single-stage smoke alarms, and an artificial smoke machine with control valves to regulate the amount and location of smoke. It has red strobe lights and a hot door to simulate a real fire to try to enable children to recognize familiar elements from their own homes.
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The house is designed with a stairway to the upper floor, two types of windows, doors with positive latching hardware for each room, and a kitchen with a fridge, stove and cupboards. The second floor had a bedroom, which has a balcony outside the bedroom window for a second means of egress.
In the house, children are taught proper life-saving techniques should they be caught in a fire situation. Crawling low under smoke, testing doors for heat from fires, and exiting by way of windows, are all demonstrated. Recognizing the smoke alarm as an important life-saving device and how to maintain the device are also explained. The children are then awarded a certificate to take home as a means of passing on information to the rest of their family.
 The Fire Safety House presentation is demonstrated to an average of 10,000 children per year. The Kitchener and Waterloo Fire Departments are working closely with Coldwell Banker Peter Bennington Realty and their advertising associates to further raise public awareness of the health and safety risks from fire and smoke.
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