Public Education Programs

Is your home fire safe? We can help.

Join the Alarm Assistance Program to receive a free, on request home safety visit with fire prevention or firefighters from your neighbourhood fire station.

Who is this program for?

This program is open to all Kawartha Lakes residents who may need assistance ensuring their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working properly.

The Fire Service works with mental health partners to help youth and their families reduce the risks that come from playing with fire. Mental health professionals will assess the risk of continued unsafe behaviour and try to find out why your child is setting fires. The Fire Service will teach your family about fire safety. The program is free and available to children from two to 17 years of age.

Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue may be available to attended and participate in community events such as barbeques and fundraisers. These events must be booked at least one month in advanced and be approved by the Fire Chief.

Please keep in mind that fire crews must always be ready to respond to emergencies so attendance or arrival time can't be guaranteed.

Contact us for more information or fill out a request form.

Firefighters go door to door to make sure homes have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. We talk about fire safety information and make sure you have a fire escape plan for your home. Participation in the program is voluntary. You can contact the Fire Service to request a home visit.

Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service offers hands-on fire extinguisher training for high school students, adults, and workplace groups. Programs are for 10 or more persons. Training may be conducted at your location or at your local fire station.

Our training goal is to educate participants on the use and understanding of portable fire extinguishers with respect to personal and fire safety. The intent of this training program is to raise participant awareness and does not result in any form of certification or accreditation.

Free for education purposes (students, adult and older adult groups.) 

Training for staff fees are in accordance with Schedule C of the Consolidated Fees Bylaw (Download).

Contact us for more information or fill out a request form.

NEW BullsEye™ Digital Fire Simulation Panel

The BullsEye™ Laser-Driven Fire Extinguisher Training System allows you to train safely in any setting. Utilize LED-driven digital flames and a laser training extinguisher to provide a dynamic and realistic simulation for trainees while eliminating the hazards associated with conventional fire extinguisher training.

• Training prop can be used year round indoors.
• Indoor facilities required for in class training and require access to electrical outlet(s), table and a screen/clear wall space (for display presentation)

In the summer of 2021, the Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service received a grant from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada for $27,340.35 to go towards the BullsEye™ Digital Fire Simulation Panel.

Since 1922, the NFPA has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Week. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance, making it the longest-running public health observance in our country. During Fire Prevention Week, children, adults, and teachers learn how to stay safe in case of a fire. Firefighters provide lifesaving public education in an effort to drastically decrease casualties caused by fires.

Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. This horrific conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land.

visit our Fire Prevention Week webpage for events happening within the City of Kawartha Lakes.

Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue has 19 fire stations located within the city.

Visitors learn about the different types of vehicles, what they do and what kinds of equipment they carry. Firefighters also show and talk about their protective fire gear.

There is a maximum of 30 people per tour. To book a tour, please complete the Community Relations and Education Request Form.

Adults must remain with the children at all times and are responsible for their supervision. We ask that you notify us in advance of any information concerning your group or individual group members that may affect the fire department interaction you are requesting. For the safety of your group, you are required to follow all directions given by on-duty Fire Department personnel at all times.

Please keep in mind that fire crews are in service and must always be ready to respond to emergencies. Should a fire or related emergency occur the tour will end.

There are free fire safety presentations in Kawartha Lakes for residents living in multi-residential buildings. You must have a group of 10 or more people to book a presentation, and a computer and projector are required. Safety topics include:

• Importance of escape planning
• What to do if you find a fire
• What to do when you hear a fire alarm in your building
• When and how to use a fire extinguisher
• What to do if you see smoke in the hallway or stairwell
• Deciding to go or stay
• How to protect yourself when you decide to stay in your apartment
• Importance of working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
• How to prevent fire hazards in your apartment

Contact us for more information or fill out a request form.

Our senior safety presentations include:

• Preventing the Leading Causes of Home Fires
• Smoke alarm requirements
• Carbon monoxide alarm requirements
• Home fire escaping / Planning around your needs
• Fall prevention
• Fire extinguisher training can be provided upon request

Contact us for more information or fill out a request form.