DEPARTMENTS > CONSTRUCTION > FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU
Fire Education Program
Manalapan Township is a teaching community promoting fire safety especially to children of the Township. Over the years, we have given numerous educational presentations at the Township’s local public and private schools, as well as to community groups, namely Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops. Basic fire prevention is given as early as Pre-K age and includes matches, fire survival, stop, drop and roll, fire equipment demonstrations and, at times a Fire House Station tour. Sessions normally close with a question and answer period.
Over ten years ago, Manalapan Township purchased the Fire Safety Smoke House Trailer. The concept of the Trailer is to educate and promote fire safety tips to the children of the township while creating a realistic setting. This 29-foot mobile classroom is especially designed to teach children vital fire prevention and fire escape techniques though a fun, safe simulation of common hazards. The Fire Safety House is equipped with a kitchen, bedroom and living room featuring the types of dangers of which children should be aware. The house emits a non-toxic white fog to teach children to crawl low to safety. A heated door helps children choose the correct exit. In addition, a portable chain ladder on the second floor allows them to practice emergency escapes. While demonstrating fire safety methods of escaping from smoke-filled dwellings, it has proven to be an excellent teaching tool. By transporting the trailer, we bring the smoke house to the children enabling them to gain a visual, and more importantly, “hands on” experience to practice evacuation.
We estimate there have been several thousand participants who have gone through the smoke house over the years. The trailer has also been included in the annual “Manalapan Day” event, providing even greater exposure to area residents and their children. The smoke house has also been lent out to other Townships, as well as other Fire Bureaus to promote fire safety among children, which continues to make Manalapan’s Fire Education Program such a success.