Public Educations

Fire prevention is everyone's responsibility and the Broomall Fire Company public education committee is dedicated to providing the citizens of Marple Township with safety training and techniques. Through presentations and demonstrations to educational facilities and community groups, we strive to increase the awareness of fire safety throughout the township

Video: Smoke Showings

"Smoke Showing" is a short film that visually demonstrates the dangers and challenges faced by firefighters during a structural fire. This film will serve to educate recruit firefighters, elected officials and the public in fire operations. "Smoke Showing" demonstrates the need for an aggressive interior attack coupled with adequate resources in order to save lives and reduce property loss. The film is opened by the cast of "Rescue Me." It is dedicated to the proud service of Tom F. Brennan. Video provided by Fire Engineering
Smoke Video

Fire Prevention Week 2013s

Fire Prevention Week will be held on October 6-12, 2013.

The Broomall Fire Company public education committee in conjunction with several volunteer firefighters will speak at educational facilities throughout Marple Township about fire safety. For more information about Fire Prevention week, follow the link Fire Prevention Week

Helpful Resourcesss

Kids, you can learn too. Visit the following websites to find out more about safety tips and play fun games too.

• Sparky's Website
• Smokey the Bears Website
• US Fire Administration Kids Page
• Educates Children About Emergency Preparedness

Juvenile Fire Settings

Many children set fires out of curiosity. But some of the children will learn that fire is a powerful tool to gain attention or enact revenge. Other children believe that if their first fire doesn't get out of control, they can control it.

Fire Setting Categoriess

Most experts agree that the best way to understand a child's fire setting is by looking at the age of the child and the reason for the behavior. There are three categories of fire setting, and for each a different strategy is used to stop the behavior.

Problem Fire Settings

• The child is usually between 5 and 12 years old and is almost always a boy. They may have a history of school and social problems. Recent changes in life or suffering from stress or injury are common
• The fire is usually random or ritualized and located in or around the home
• There is often no clear cut reason for fire setting. This could be used as a "Cry for Help"
• They will continue in this behavior until stress is relieved or they are taught safer ways to cope. There is a very high chance of repeat fire setting.
• Treatment at this stage involves professional counseling and fire safety education.

Delinquent Fire Settings

• The child is usually between the ages of 10 and 18 years old. They can be both boys and girls and are almost always in a group
• The fire is usually at an outdoor location and could involve dumpsters, grass or other vandalism type fires
• The child tends sets the fires to impress their peers, out of boredom, or to be defiant
• Treatment at this stage involves professional counseling, restitution and fire safety education

How Parents Can Helps

• Parents play an important role in helping prevent fires involving children. Here are some ideas to help
• Keep Matches, lighters and other fire setting tools off limits to your children by telling your children to immediately bring you any matches or lighters that they find. Set consequences for children if they are found with any fire setting tools
• Encourage your children to tell you about any other children playing with fire
• Make your house fire safe by installing smoke detectors and sharing with your children the responsibility of checking the detectors once a month
• Keep all matches or lighters in a place that is not accessible to children, such as a locked cabinet. If you smoke, keep lighters on your person or in your purse, not scattered around the house
• Lock up all flammable chemicals, like gasoline, turpentine or lighter fluid
• Teach your children fire safety by planning fire escape routes from each room in
• Practice with your children stop-drop-and roll and crawling low in the presence of smoke
• Discuss with your children the good and bad uses of fire, the dangers of fire and how quickly it spreads
• Also, make sure your children are supervised at all times

Frequently Asked Questionss

Is it normal for children to play with fire? While curiosity about fire is common, fire play or fire setting is not normal and can be deadly

Is fire setting considered pyromania? Pyromania is a mental disorder, fire setting is not. It is a behavior which can have many reasons and which can be stopped

Who do I call if I suspect a juvenile of fire setting? If you suspect a child playing with fire, contact the 911 immediately. Provide them with much information as you can about the child and their location. Remember, you can remain anonymous.

I have found my child playing with fire. If I burn my child's hand will they stop? This is a myth, if you burn your child's hand they will just be scarred. You must address the real reason for his/her playing with fire before they will stop

Is this just a phase that that they will grow out of? It is not just a phase and you must deal with it immediately or it will continue to happen