The Baltimore City Fire Department Office of Communications & Community Engagement provides a range of training and educational opportunities aimed at enhancing the community's overall fire and life safety measures. These initiatives are part of our Community Engagement & Public Education efforts, designed to benefit residents, community stakeholders, groups, schools, and churches. Through these programs, participants gain valuable fire and life safety skills, including Hands-Only CPR training and Blood Pressure Screening. Additionally, they have the chance to receive Fire Safety and Career presentations and take part in engaging Fire Apparatus and Medic tours.
Our programs serve to raise awareness about the critical importance of fire and life safety. We actively participate in various community events and gatherings, including Community Resource Fairs & Events, Neighborhood Association Meetings, Job Fairs, Fire & Life Safety Initiatives, Summer Camps, and school and church events.
To request any of our Public Education services, please complete the Event Request Form, specifying your needs:
- Hands-Only CPR Training
BCFD offers free Hands-Only CPR training to those interested in making a difference in their community! Hands-Only CPR is used to help others in the event of a cardiac emergency. Knowing how to administer Hands-Only CPR can make a difference and saves lives. This life-saving skill has been beneficial in enabling bystanders to assist a person in cardiac arrest prior to EMS arrival. Hands-Only CPR is recommended for use by people who see a teen or adult collapse in an “out-of-hospital” setting (such as at home, work, or school). Hands-Only CPR is an American Heart Association-approved method that does not require mouth-to-mouth breaths. The State of Maryland mandates that all high school students complete this course prior to graduation.
- Emergency Medical Services Presentation and Information
Led by Baltimore City Fire Department EMS facilitators, the Building Education and Awareness Team (BEAT) offers group presentations and discussions about common health-related issues such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiac disease, asthma, and heat-related illnesses. The BEAT will provide literature with information about these health illnesses including the signs & symptoms, risk factors, prevention, and treatments.
- EMS Standby
Residents, businesses, or organizations may request a BCFD medic unit for community events or resource fairs. During events, the medic team will engage with participants, conduct tours of the medic unit followed by a Q&A session, and provide insight on the duties of EMTs and Paramedics.
- Career Presentations
Baltimore City Fire Department Educators and BEAT (Building Education and Awareness Team) members will attend school job fairs, and community events to discuss careers within the Baltimore City Fire Department. Career Presentations are interactive, insightful, and impactful and aim to capture the attention of middle & high school, and college students, as well as those who attend trade schools, and other job readiness programs to help interested candidates learn more about careers in the fire service.
- Blood Pressure Screenings
Blood Pressure Screenings are available to community organizations, and senior communities interested in learning how to check blood pressure. A BCFD member will provide information on hypertension, heart disease, or other serious illnesses. Groups will receive health pamphlets and additional information on blood pressure screenings, sodium intake, diets, and other pertinent information related to hypertension.
- Fire Truck/Fire Engine Request
At the request of an organization, school, business, or community member, BCFD can assign a Fire Truck or Fire Engine (depending on availability) to your event. The assigned members, will offer a tour of the apparatus, engage with participants, discuss fire & life safety, and more.
**Please keep in mind that the apparatus is in service and may have to respond to a 911 call. If they must respond, they will make every effort to return. **
- Fire and Life Safety Presentations
BCFD safety educators will provide a dynamic safety presentation during your event. Topics will vary based on audience, request, and season. At the end of the presentation, the educator will conduct a Q&A session.
We are committed to promoting fire and life safety within our community and are eager to collaborate with you to enhance safety awareness and preparedness.