Fire Department

Fire Safety Education

Fire safety education is one of the Murfreesboro Fire Department's primary goals. Fire safety education is the key to saving lives and is taught throughout the year. Our main focus is on home fire safety because 80 percent of fire deaths occur at home. Inspectors also educate area business people on fire safety.

Project Safe

Last year, the department was instrumental in developing a comprehensive program, Project SAFE, to place smoke detectors in each Murfreesboro home that was willing to accept them. The department has participated in several events that demonstrate commitment to providing the best fire service coverage possible for the citizens of Murfreesboro.

During the Project SAFE visits, firefighters asked if the resident had a working smoke detector. If no alarm was present, department personnel installed one at no charge. If the resident wasn't home at the time of the visit, firefighters left a door hanger with a phone number to call. The resident also received a magnet with fire safety tips.

Murfreesboro was among the first Tennessee cities to initiate the program. The cost of the program was approximately $12,500.

Nearly 1,400 residences were contacted in 2000. Of those, 640 had no detectors, 478 needed additional units and 277 detectors were not operating. Batteries were replaced or installed in 606 detectors.

In other activities, 8,849 children and adults were part of the department's education efforts.

Please remember to test smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries annually. Most fatal fires happen at night, while families are asleep. Smoke alarms are a smart way to alert one to a fire. Our firefighters are proud of this new service to our citizens and we are thankful for these dedicated men and women and the outstanding job they do.

Fire Safety House

The department's fire safety house is a valuable educational tool used to teach children and adults about fire safety and burn prevention. The Fire Safety House is a downsized version of a two-story house on a trailer. The house has a living room, kitchen and control room on the first level and a bedroom on the second level. It is equipped with a non-toxic smoke machine, smoke detectors and red strobe lights and runs off a generator allowing setup anywhere. Fire prevention slogans, like "Stop, Drop and Roll," are lettered on the outside of the house. Children and adults are taught how to successfully exit a burning building and how to prevent fires and burns through various "hands-on" exercises. Fire escape skills are taught using non-toxic smoke, electronically operated smoke detectors and heaters located inside doors. Children learn the necessary actions to take exxit a burning building.

The Fire Safety House can be scheduled for events by phoning the Murfreesboro Fire Department Administration Office.

Station Tours

Station tours are set up all during the year. During these tours, safety lessons are taught. Children get a first hand look at fire engines, hear the sirens, watch a safety video, and much more. Children receive red plastic fire helmets and badges, as well as, fire safety pamphlets to carry home. These tours help children see firefighters as their friends. The Murfreesboro Fire Department also participated in several public relations events. These events provided opportunities to educate individuals on fire safety. Information packets and pamphlets on fire safety were given out, and personnel were available to answer questions on fire safety.

Citizens Fire Academy

Applications for Citizens Fire Academy, a six-week course sponsored by Murfreesboro Fire Department that offers citizens an opportunity to experience the inside operations of the department, will be accepted through Aug. 31 for the new class set to begin Sept. 18. Sessions will be held on consecutive Tuesday nights from 6 until 9 p.m. through Oct. 23.

Download an application and a program brochure, or obtain them from the Fire Department Administration Office, 220 Northwest Broad St., or in any other city fire station. Applicants, considered on a first-come, first-served basis, will be notified if successful and charged a $35 fee to cover the cost of class materials. This fee should not be included with the application.

Applicants must be 18 years of age, sign a hold harmless agreement and commit to miss no more than one session.

Program outlines include fire prevention, communications, fire extinguisher training and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). A significant portion of the academy consists of classroom instruction and discussions along with special activities that include a ride-along in a fire engine, wearing and using a self-contained breathing apparatus, wearing turnout firefighting clothing, firefighting demonstrations, climbing and riding an aerial apparatus among other important aspects of the department.

More information is available by calling the department coordinator, Laurie Alsup, at 893-1422.

Welcome!
from Chief David Baxter

Murfreesboro Fire Department personnel are dedicated to providing outstanding fire protection for the City of Murfreesboro. Our ultimate goal is to deliver the highest level of emergency response with the greatest margin of safety in the most fiscally responsible way. The individual members of the department are the most important and valuable assets. They work for the citizens of Murfreesboro to create a better quality of life. The MFD works hard to help provide a safe, progressive, and healthy community for its citizens. Personnel train daily to be better prepared to perform their jobs and to meet state and national standards.

Thank you for visiting the Murfreesboro Fire Department's web site. I hope the information provided will familiarize you with our department. If you have any questions regarding fire related issues, please contact us any time or stop by a fire station.