Public education has a vital role in the war against fire. Markham Fire & Emergency Services is a recognized leader in public education. The fire department attends many community events circulating fire and life safety information to Markham residents, schools and community groups.

Fill out the Community Presentation Request Form  (147k/1p) to request Markham Fire & Emergency Services to attend your community event, Please return form by fax 905 479-7770 or email dblizzard@markham.ca.

Fire Station Tours – Station tours are conducted on a regular basis for school and community groups upon request. 

Please contact us at 905 477-7000 ext. 6320 or 6330 to book an appointment.

Programs

Comfort Bear – Our Comfort Bear program continues to provide a bear to those children involved in traumatic incidents throughout the Town. Where Comfort Bears were provided we received comments such as: child was greatly calmed, child delighted and their focus was redirected from emergency to bear. Firefighters indicate this is still one of our best programs. Big smiles and no more tears help calm the parents at the same time.

Learn Not to Burn – Is a fire safety, school based program administered by the teachers to students from K-8. The program is comprised of 22 fire safety behaviours covered in both pro-active and re-active subjects. Markham schools are visited by firefighters on a monthly basis and a lesson is reviewed. Our staff provides an overview of the program to teachers, parent groups and students in general assembly situations as to how the fire safety behaviour lessons might be incorporated into the normal school curriculum. For more information visit www.nfpa.org 

“Press to Test” Smoke Alarm Program - This program of free home inspections and alarm replacement was extended to all residents of Markham in 2006. We advised the public of the change to smoke alarm legislation through 60,000 flyers, newspaper ads and home visits. 

If you would like help testing your smoke alarms or preparing a home fire escape plan, Markham Fire & Emergency Services can assist you.  Contact us at 905 415-7521. For more information see visit www.makeitstop.ca 

Risk Watch Program - Risk Watch is a classroom injury prevention program firefighters participate in as part of a coalition with Police, Health Services, Poison Control and the Community Safety Village. For more information visit www.riskwatch.org 

The Arson Prevention Program for Children (TAPP-C) - A program designed to assist children and their families in dealing with a child who is involved with fire play or fire setting. The two main aspects of the program are mental health and education. When called, a Public Education Officer visits the home to make sure that the home is fire safe. The file is then sent to a Markham Fire & Emergency Services facilitator who contacts the adult guardian to arrange three educational sessions. The guardian is also required to contact Peel Children Centre to arrange for counseling for the child. For more information visit www.tapp-c.ca

For more information on these programs contact: