When people hear the term “fire department”, they may conjure up the image of firefighters battling a blaze. And while putting out fires is an important role of the Bowling Green Fire Division, as is providing Emergency Medical Services (EMS), the Division provides other very important community services to reduce the number of emergencies and prepare people for how to respond in case of an emergency.
The Bowling Green Fire Division believes that its low number of structure fire calls can be credited to the large amount of fire safety education provided throughout the Bowling Green community.
Education about fire prevention begins early. Firefighters visit preschools to teach young children not to be afraid of a firefighter when he is i
n his firefighting equipment. Firefighters also teach the children what to do in the case of fire with techniques such as “Stop, Drop, and Roll” and “Get Out-Stay Out.” Additionally, the City of Bowling Green offers “Safety Town” for children in the summer prior to starting kindergarten. At Safety Town, Bowling Green Firefighters teach classes on fire safety and poisons with other community partners covering topics such as bicycle safety, traffic safety, and proper hand washing techniques.
Fire Division personnel visit all Bowling Green City and private schools each year to teach safety rules to children in kindergarten through fourth grade. Also, Division personnel provide safety information to high school seniors each year. This presentation helps prepare students for college life and offers guidelines for independent living including such topics as first aid, fire safety, and fire alarm systems in residence halls. The Division also takes that opportunity to emphasize the importance of renters insurance. At the college level, the Fire Division frequently partners with Bowling Green State University. For example, Resident Advisors receive fire safety and fire extinguisher training from the Fire Division.
Fire Safety education is not only for children and students. It is also important for adults to be vigilant and active about home safety and fire prevention. Many important reminders and actions to keep the home safe are contained in the adjacent chart. But adults are also reminded of basics such as leaving the home immediately when the smoke detector sounds and not grabbing “a few items” on the way out the door. In fact, the Fire Division reports, adults often need reminders of the same issues taught to the children such as “if an alarm is going off or smoke is present, GET OUT and STAY OUT.”
Community Outreach and Inspections
Bowling Green has two fire stations and, upon request, tours are available at both stations. In recent years, the Fire Division has held an open house at the Pearl Street Station in October, which is Fire Prevention Month. At that event, the public is able to tour the station, watch a fire extinguisher demonstration, view auto extrication techniques (as seen in the adjacent picture), talk with firefighters, and receive educational materials.
Firefighters will provide training to employees of businesses on the proper use of fire extinguishers.
Another function of the Fire Division is to perform fire safety inspections for the Bowling Green community. Inspections can include ensuring annual testing of private fire hydrants, monitoring local businesses or community events to prevent overcrowding, and enforcement of the Fire Code in businesses, schools, and daycares. If you have a Fire Code concern, please contact the Fire Division at 419 352-3106.
No one believes that he or she will encounter an emergency. Hopefully, with proper preparations and active attention to safety, that is the case. However, as one never knows when an emergency may occur, it is important to be prepared. Everyone should have a plan. The Bowling Green Fire Division works hard to employ and encourage measures to prevent emergencies, educate the public on what to do in case of emergency, and is always at the ready to help should an emergency occur.
- Do not use your cell phone while filling your vehicle with fuel
- Only use approved containers for the storage of flammable liquids
- Keep all combustibles at least three feet away from a heat source such as a water heater, furnace, or space heater
- Never leave a lit candle unattended
- Never leave matches or lighters unattended or within the reach of children
- Water heaters should not be set higher than 120 degrees to prevent scalding of children or adults
- Keep handles of pots and pans turned away from the front of the stove
- Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing that could catch on fire when cooking
- Make sure your address numbers can be easily read from the street by emergency personnel
- Properly discard smoking materials
- Conduct home fire drills
- Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly
- Keep pathways clear of trip hazards in case an emergency exit is necessary
- Store all medications safely away from children