SFD offers public education programs in a range of various life- and fire-safety topics.

Community Risk Reduction provides public information, education, and training resources on a number of safety topics.

Whether an appearance at a community event, a presentation in a local school, or formal training, CRR experts deliver information and resources to enhance community safety.  Programs offered include child car safety seat inspection, life and fire safety education, Firewise planning, and fire extinguisher training.  

  • Firefighters in the SFD booth at a public event.
  • Firefighters demonstrating CPR while a local youth watches.
  • Engineer showing a child the fire engine.
  • Extensive damage to a trailer home.
  • Visual timeline of a home fire with and without sprinklers
  • Poster showing steps to take to clear your property to be Firewise.
Poster showing steps to take to clear your property to be Firewise.

Wildfire Safety

Addressing Wildland Fire protection starts in the community.  CRR conducts Firewise classes and inspections, maintains Burn Seasons, and holds an annual Spring Clean-up to reduce hazardous yard waste.

Firewise is a national program to help homeowners and communities protect their home and property in the event of a wildfire by reducing combustible foliage and creating a barrier around homes and other structures.  To learn more about Firewise, visit Firewise USA. To schedule a Firewise inspection for your home or community, email .CRR@sedonafire.org.

SFD enforces Burn Seasons in cooperation with neighboring agencies to manage safety and community needs. Using up to the minute data from government experts on fuel moisture content and other environmental factors, burn seasons, no burn days, and Red Flag Warnings are established for each community in the Verde Valley.  To apply for a free burn permit, to activate a current burn permit, and to check the Burn Status on any given day, visit Burn Permits.

Spring Clean-up is an annual event sponsored by SFD to collect residential yard waste as a community service and fuel reduction measure.  Typically held in April, the clean-up spans two consecutive weekends with collections sites serving both the Village of Oak Creek and the City of Sedona.  Check the SFD Facebook page, event calendar, and local newspaper for the next Spring Clean-up event.

Local burn seasons, fire restrictions, and wildfire management are intricately connected and largely regulated by State and National Forest agencies.  Information on forest management, wildfire impact, and environmental concerns can be found here, or use the Contact Us form to find out more.  

Image of house fire at night

Home Safety

SFD makes personal safety in your home and vehicle a priority with smoke detector and car seat programs, and residential fire sprinkler recommendations.

The fire code adopted and enforced by SFD requires fire sprinklers in public and commercial properties, as well as new residential properties over a certain square footage. Did you know that a house fire can double in size every minute? (link graphic) Consider adding fire sprinklers to your new home construction even if not required.  Contact the Fire Marshal for details and more information.

Properly installed and working Smoke Detectors are essential to home fire safety.  It is recommended that you test your smoke detectors monthly, change the batteries annually, and replace your smoke detectors every 10 years.  SFD has a Smoke Detector Program that includes testing, replacement, and installation.  Contact CRR@sedonafire.org for more information.

While Car Seat use is regulated by law enforcement officials, SFD has several trained Car Seat Installation experts to support this important child safety requirement. Contact us to schedule an inspection of your installed car seat and to learn how to properly install the seat in any vehicle.  Sponsored through the American Red Cross, a limited number of child safety seats are available free of charge to community members experiencing hardship.  Ask for details.

 Smoke alarm going off?  FIRST, get to safety and dial 9-1-1.  If it’s a known false alarm (due to smoke from cooking), follow the directions on your smoke detector to silence it.  It’s just chirping loudly every 90 seconds in your vaulted ceiling?  Call the non-emergency dispatch number at 928-649-1397 and a crew will come out and change the battery for you.  Yes, even in the middle of the night!  It is a safety matter and a community service SFD is happy to provide.

Firefighters in the SFD booth at a public event.

School & Community Programs

Fire safety and prevention programs geared towards youth are part of the fire service tradition.

Working with schools and local organizers, SFD will bring The Arizona Burn Foundation’s Milo & Moxie: Smart Safety Rangers™ kid-friendly program to teach children life-saving burn prevention and fire safety strategies. This “story-time” curriculum is aligned to Arizona state standards and addresses burn safety behaviors for both children and parents.

The LAFS (Life and Fire Safety) program, performed by fire departments across the Verde Valley, the National Forest Service, and local Ambulance Services, educates kids about a variety of fire safety issues using puppets, music, audience participation, and a good deal of fun to get the safety message across.  With different themes each year, contact your child’s school to catch the fun!

Do you know how to use a fire extinguisher?  Will you remember in an emergency?  Using state of the art technology and equipment, SFD can safely offer hands-on demonstrations on how to operate a standard fire extinguisher and the proper technique to put out a fire.  Whether in a school, church, or office setting, or at a community event, trained CRR staff will teach and test your skills so you have confidence.  Safe and appropriate for all ages, schedule a demonstration for your group today!

Practice makes permanent!  Studies show repetition and hands-on instruction is best for retention, and starting fire safety messages early increases the likelihood that the messages stick.  A generation raised on Stop, Drop & Roll is taking it to the next level to prevent fire injury with early education.  

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