Safety Education
Polk County Fire Rescue public education officers provide Polk's residents training classes on topics that include fire safety, severe weather awareness, disaster preparedness and emergency 9-1-1. Through the training, the education officers help all ages and demographics recognize fire hazards and the necessary safety precautions needed to minimize injury and property damage.
Is your civic organization, business, or community interested in a presentation? If so, please complete and submit the Safety Education Program Request Form to contact the safety education unit.
Public Safety Education Classes Offered
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 2 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.
For more information contact KathySellen@polk-county.net
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.
2023 Training Class Dates: Apr. 11, July 25 and Oct.10
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 I.T.S. 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.
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 witrh these top tips
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.
The Disney Pillowcase Project is a preparedness education program for children in grades 3 – 5, which teaches students about personal and family preparedness, local hazards, and basic coping skills. Generally given as a 40-60 minute presentation the program leads students through a “learn, practice, share” framework to engage them in disaster preparedness. Students receive a sturdy pillowcase upon completion of the program in which they are encouraged to build their personal emergency supplies kit. Presentations are customized to focus on a hazard that is important and relevant to the local community
At age 65, 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 – 5th 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 our 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.
For more information contact KathySellen@polk-county.net
Fire rescue equipment from your local fire station will come to your event 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.