"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" 
- Ben Franklin, founder of the first organized fire department in the United states.

West Covina Fire Department's Public Education activities are aimed at preventing loss of life and property through public awareness of good life safety techniques. 

Fire Department members take a full-service approach to delivering public education programs, including Station tours, school life-safety programs, demonstrations for business, neighborhood, and community groups, free pool inspections, career presentations, and Juvenile Firesetter intervention. 

Programs can be customized to fit the needs of the requesting group and can include, educational brochures, video presentations, interactive demonstrations, appearances by "Sparky" the fire dog, and more. 

Programs can be requested by calling the West Covina Fire Department's administration office at (626) 338-8800. To avoid scheduling conflicts, please call at least two weeks in advance to request a program. 

Station Tours
Members of the community are welcome to visit any of our five fire stations, where they can view the equipment and station, and receive fire and life-safety information. We ask that tours are scheduled in advance to avoid scheduling conflicts. 

School Life-Safety Programs
The West Covina Fire Department has a specialized curriculum for grades K-2. The "Urban Survival Program" teaches key behaviors such as Stop, Drop, and Roll, Matches are Tools, Not Toys, Cool-A-Burn, and drowning prevention tips. Programs are also available for grades 3-12 and for preschool classes. These programs are modified to suit the age levels requested. 

Demonstrations
These programs are especially suited for large groups such as businesses, neighborhood groups, civic and community groups, and school assemblies. These programs are used to explain or demonstrate Fire Department activities, equipment or life-safety procedures. At the annual "Fire Service Day" Open House in May, the West Covina Fire Department demonstrates many of the services and resources that are available to the community. 

Free Swimming Pool Inspections
In California, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children 1-4 years of age. The West Covina Fire Department created the SEALS program (Safety Education Aquatic Life Safety) to combat the drowning problem in this city. The SEALS program was created in collaboration with Citrus Valley Health Partners, the West Covina Lions, Boy Scouts, and WCCT Channel 56. It promotes drowning prevention through inspection, CPR and swim lesson information, and equipment loans to enhance backyard pool safety. Since its inception in 1993, the program has resulted in a reduction of more than 75 percent in drowning incidents in the City. As part of the education progress, firefighters will perform a free pool safety inspection and provide drowing prevention information. 

Juvenile Firesetter Intervention
Children playing with matches account for needless injuries and property loss each year. Often, playing with fire represents a child's natural curiosity, but sometimes it grows into a bigger problem. The West Covina Fire Department has a specially trained team of firefighters that meet with the child and the parents. These sessions are helpful in deterring children from playing with fire and can identify those that need further counseling. 

This program is one way West Covina firefighters hope to influence the demand for emergency services and use resources for better community enrichment. 

To find out more about this program, contact your school administrator or call the West Covina Fire Department at 626-338-8800.