News

     Fire Safety Week Focuses on Burn Prevention

     Every year, about 3,000 people die and another 200,000 go to the emergency room because of home fires and burns

     according to the National Fire Protection Association. Area firefighters are focusing on reducing those deaths and

     injuries as part of Fire Prevention Week. To read more Click Here.

     Local Newspaper Supports Waterloo Fire Rescue's Efforts to Publicize Importance of Fire Prevention

     Waterloo Courier editorial features quote from Fire Chief Doug Carter regarding Fire Prevention Week.

      Click Here to read the October 5, 2009 editorial..

     Fire PALS Program Makes the News

     The reinstitution of the Fire PALS program is featured in the local newspaper. Click Here to read the Waterloo

     Courier article.

     Fire PALS Program Has New Director

     Waterloo Fire Rescue is excited to announce that our Fire PALS school-based injury prevention program is back in business

      and is under new leadership. Firefighter Shane Schellhorn has been appointed the Fire PALS program coordinator.

      Shane has been a member of Waterloo Fire Rescue since May 1997. To read more Click Here.         

     Important Update on Fire PALS School Based Injury Prevention Program

     Waterloo Fire Rescue would like to announce that due to budgetary concerns, we will be suspending our Fire PALS

      school-based injury prevention program at this time .Congressional appropriations for Fire PALS have not

      come through yet . We hold out hope for future funding and feel confidant that we will be able to offer

      this program to the Waterloo Community Schools and Cedar Valley Catholic Schools in the future. Click Here

      to read the full press release...

     Don't Be a Turkey this Thanksgiving, Get Rid of the Fryers

     Thanksgiving is typically a day of celebration. But for some families in the past, the day has been tragic. On Thanksgiving

     Day 2005, cooking fires were involved in an estimated 1,300 reported home structure fires; almost three times the

     daily average. Across the nation there are increasing reports of fires due to the use of turkey fryers. The use of

      turkey fryers can lead to devastating burns, other injuries and destruction of property. Click Here to read more...

     Concerns About Economy May Increase Risk of Home Fires

     The American Red Cross and the National Fire Protection Association recently released results of a survey showing

     the majority of Americans are concerned about the rising cost of heating their homes, and an estimated 48 percent

     will use an alternative heating source to reduce their bills this winter. Home heating remains the second highest cause

     of home fires at 26 percent. Of the more than 74,000 disasters the American Red Cross responds to each year,

     approximately 93 percent are fire related, but unlike natural disasters, most home fires can be prevented. To read

     more about how to keep yourself and your family safe from fire this winter, Click Here.

     Fall Back and Save a Life:

    Waterloo Fire Rescue would like to remind the public to change their smoke alarm batteries when they set their clocks

      back for fall. Click Here to read more...

     Engine Companies Visit Area Preschools During Fire Prevention Week:

    Have you ever wondered what it is like to teach fire prevention to preschoolers? Each year Waterloo Fire Rescue's very    

    own firefighters are called upon to do just that. During Fire Prevention Week, and throughout the entire month, Waterloo

    Fire Rescue have preschool classes visit the fire stations. All of Waterloo Fire Rescue's engine companies also go out to area

    preschools and spend time teaching important fire prevention messages to our community's youngest citizens. To get a first

    hand look at one of these visits Click Here.

     Keep Halloween a Fun- Filled Safe Evening:

     Halloween can be a fun night for families, but parents need to take precautions to keep their children safe. According

     to the CDC, the number of deaths among pedestrians (ages 5-14) is four times higher on Halloween evening than any

     other night of the year. Data from the US DOT found that fatal collisions between motor vehicles and pedestrians

      (age 5-14) happen most frequently between 4 pm and 8 pm, prime trick-or-treating hours. Waterloo Fire Rescue, Fire

     PALS, and the Waterloo Police Department have created important safety tips for families for the upcoming Halloween

     evening. To read and discuss these safety tips with your children, Click Here.

     Fire Prevention Week is October 5-11, 2008:

     A pot holder too close to a lit burner or a space heater left on overnight could be all it takes to start a home fire.    

     In fact, cooking and heating are among the leading causes of home fires in the United States. Fire Prevention Week 2008

     "Prevent Home Fires" October 5-11, 2008 addresses these very issues. To read more, Click Here.

     Fire PALS Newsletter, Fall 2008, Issue 2, Volume 1:

      Meet Firefighter Nick, Fire Prevention Week, and Latchkey Children Safety are all featured in this issue of our Fire PALS

      newsletter. Click Here to view these articles and more.

      Back to School Safety:

      The start of a brand new school year is an exciting time. Waterloo Fire Rescue is asking parents and teachers to

      slow down and take the time to review important traffic safety rules to help your student travel to and from school safely.       Click Here to to read more.

      Click Here to preview a copy of our "Back to School Safety Tips" student activity sheet.

      Home Escape Planning:

      According to the latest research from NFPA , more than 2500 people died in home fires in 2006, and 12, 500 were        injured. Fire departments responded to 396, 000 home fires in the United States which accounted for 80 percent of                  civilian deaths and 76 percent of injuries that year. This fall sit down with your children and discuss home fire prevention.

       Let our Fire PALS home escape planning slides help you with your discussion. Click here to access the slides for easy      

       viewing...

      Fire PALS publishes first ever newsletter. Click Here to preview.

      St. Edward's School Bicycle Rodeo:

      Waterloo Fire Rescue and ThinkFirst Iowa conducted a bike rodeo at St. Edward's School on May 28, 2008.

       Click Here to learn more and to view pictures of the event.

     Letter to Parents from the Fire Chief- Danger of Novelty Lighters

      Waterloo Fire Rescue Fire Chief W. Douglas Carter speaks to parents regarding concerns

      about novelty lighters. In his appeal he states, "Please do not purchase novelty lighters or

       bring them into your home. If you already have novelty lighters, please remove them.

       Let’s protect our children and our community from the dangers created by these unsafe products."

       Click Here to read more...

     Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety

      As warmer weather approaches, motorists need to be alert to the increasing number of
      pedestrians and bicyclists on and near the roads. Approximately 64,000 pedestrians are
      injured in motor vehicle crashes annually...     Click Here to read more.

     Sports Safety

     Spring and summer sports can be a lot of fun! Waterloo Fire Rescue and Fire PALS want you

     to stay safe while you are having fun...   Click Here to download a copy of the Sports Safety Worksheet.

     Water Watcher Card

      Waterloo Fire Rescue endorses the use of the Water Watcher Card. The Water Safety Campaign was

      created by Safe KIDS Worldwide in 2007...   Click Here for more information.