September 2016
Dear Fire Chief:
Re: Children’s Program – Fire Prevention Week (October 9-15, 2016)
September means it’s time to prepare for Fire Prevention Week! This year’s theme is “Don’t
Wait, Check the Date, Replace Smoke Alarms that are over 10 years of age”. The
Children’s Program items are as follows:
1. Children’s pamphlets and contest entry forms: Each Fire Safety Starts with You!
pamphlet contains fire safety activities with important safety messages designed for children
in grades K-3.
Each participating child can enter a contest to win the provincial grand prize of a home
computer system courtesy of ATCO. The winning child’s teacher will receive a prize from the
Office of the Fire Commissioner.
The Office of the Fire Commissioner will also present prizes in the five zones of the province
(north, central, south, Edmonton and Calgary). In each zone, one child will win a prize and
his/her teacher will win a $250 gift certificate to Education Station.
If you need more activity booklets/contest entry forms or have not received a shipment,
please contact us by email at [email protected] or call 1-866-421-6929.
2. Teacher letter, parent/guardian letter and lesson plan for teachers: The teacher letter,
parent/guardian letter, and lesson plan are designed to assist teachers in delivering the
activities contained in the pamphlet with or without fire service attendance. Once a class has
completed the activity booklet, the teacher should send the booklet home with a copy of the
parent/guardian letter provided. To enter the children’s contest, the parents/guardians of the
child must sign the completed entry form and have their child return it to the classroom
teacher. This year, the teacher will collect all entries and send them directly to the
Office of the Fire Commissioner on or before OCTOBER 26, 2016.
Please see the enclosed checklist to help you organize distribution of these materials. For more
information on the 2016 Fire Prevention Week, please visit www.ofc.alberta.ca or contact Ross
Bennett at (780) 644-4692 or email [email protected].
Thank you for participating in the Children’s Program during this year’s Fire Prevention Week.
Sincerely,
Ross Bennett
Public Education Coordinator
Children’s Program Checklist
Children’s Activity Booklet
 Contact your local grade K-3 principals/teachers in September to make them aware of
Fire Prevention Week and the availability of the children’s fire safety activity booklets
and contest.
 If you want to assist with classroom fire safety lessons, discuss presentation strategies
with the principal/teacher and volunteer a firefighter to assist with classroom teaching.
 Add your fire department logo or stamp to the top or bottom of the teacher letter and
parent/guardian letter.
 Make one photocopy of the teacher letter, parent/guardian letter, and lesson plan for
each participating classroom teacher. These documents are also posted on the Office
of the Fire Commissioner website at www.ofc.alberta.ca.
 Distribute the activity booklets and children’s contest forms along with the teacher
letter, parent/guardian letter, and lesson plan to participating classroom teachers in
September.
 Remind teachers that each participating child can enter a contest to win the provincial
grand prize of a home computer system courtesy of ATCO. The winning child’s
teacher will receive a prize from the Office of the Fire Commissioner.
 The Office of the Fire Commissioner will also present prizes in the five zones of the
province (north, central, south, Edmonton and Calgary). In each zone, one child will
win a prize and his/her teacher will win a $250 gift certificate to Education Station.
 Advise the teacher/principal that all contest entry forms must be delivered to the Office
of the Fire Commissioner at the address below no later than OCTOBER 26, 2016.
Office of the Fire Commissioner
16th floor, Commerce Place
10155-102 Street
Edmonton, AB T5J 4L4
Or fax to: 780-415-8663 or email to [email protected]
September 2016
Dear Teacher:
Thank you for participating in Fire Prevention Week, which takes place every October to remind Albertans
about fire prevention and what to do in a fire emergency. This year’s Fire Prevention Week takes place
October 9-15, 2016, focusing on the theme: “Don’t Wait, Check the Date, Replace Smoke
Alarms that are over 10 years of age”.
Research on home fires show that in as little as three minutes, a fire can become deadly to the occupants
due to toxic smoke from burning synthetic materials present in drapes, carpeting and furniture.
A well-trained and well-equipped urban fire service will reach a burning home in seven minutes or more
after a call is received. This is too late to save occupants who may already be overcome by toxic smoke.
It is everyone’s responsibility to prevent fires in the home and ensure their own safe evacuation. Working
smoke alarms are our best friend when it comes to early detection.
Enclosed is a fun and interactive pamphlet to use in your classroom during Fire Prevention Week. This
activity booklet contains fire safety activities for children in grades K-3 designed to help students learn
how to prevent and stay safe from fire.
Also included is a contest entry form for students to win the provincial grand prize of a home computer
system, courtesy of ATCO. The winning child’s teacher will receive a prize from the Office of the Fire
Commissioner.
The Office of the Fire Commissioner will also present prizes in the five zones of the province (north,
central, south, Edmonton and Calgary). In each zone, one child will win a prize and his/her teacher will
win a $250 gift certificate to Education Station.
Also provided is a sample lesson plan to assist you with the delivery of the pamphlet’s activities. Once
your class has completed the activity booklet, send the booklet home with the parent/guardian letter
provided. To enter the draw, the parents/guardians of the child must sign the completed contest
entry form, which should then be returned to you. We request that you please forward all received
entries to us directly at the address below on or before October 26, 2016.
Office of the Fire Commissioner
16th floor, Commerce Place
10155-102 Street
Edmonton, AB T5J 4L4
Or fax to: 780-415-8663 or email to [email protected]
The Office of the Fire Commissioner will select one winning entry from all of the entries received. This
winner will receive the provincial grand prize of a home computer system at an award presentation that
will be held at the student’s school later in the fall.
Thank you for your commitment to fire safety education. With your continued support, needless injuries
and deaths from fire can be prevented. Together, we can keep our children and our communities safe!
For more information on this children’s fire prevention program, please visit: www.ofc.alberta.ca.
Sincerely,
Your Local Fire Department
September 2016
Dear Parent/Guardian:
Fire Prevention Week takes place each October to remind Albertans about the importance of
fire prevention and what to do in a fire emergency. This year’s Fire Prevention Week takes
place October 9-15, 2016 focusing on the theme: “Don’t Wait, Check the Date, Replace
Smoke Alarms that are over 10 years of age”.
Research on home fires show that in as little as three minutes, a fire can become deadly to the
occupants due to toxic smoke from burning synthetic materials present in drapes, carpeting and
furniture.
A well-trained and well-equipped urban fire service will reach a burning home in seven minutes
or more after a call is received. This is too late to save occupants who may already be
overcome by toxic smoke. It is everyone’s responsibility to prevent fires in the home and ensure
their own safe evacuation. Working smoke alarms are our best friend when it comes to early
detection.
During Fire Prevention Week this year, your community fire department and child’s school have
teamed up to teach students about fire safety using the pamphlet, Fire Safety Starts with You!
Each pamphlet contains fire safety activities for children in grades K-3. Along with this pamphlet
is a contest entry form for a chance to win the provincial grand prize of a home computer
system, courtesy of ATCO. Each participating child can enter a contest to win the provincial
grand prize of a home computer system. The winning child’s teacher will receive a prize from
the Office of the Fire Commissioner.
The Office of the Fire Commissioner will also present prizes in the five zones of the province
(north, central, south, Edmonton and Calgary). In each zone, one child will win a prize and
his/her teacher will win a $250 gift certificate to Education Station.
Please spend some time with your child to review the Fire Safety Starts with You! pamphlet
handed out by your child's teacher. Once your child has completed the booklet, fill out and sign
the contest entry form and have your child return it to the classroom teacher by October 26,
2016. The provincial grand prize winner will be presented with the prize during an award
ceremony at his or her school later in the fall.
For more information about Fire Prevention Week, contact your community fire department
or visit the Office of the Fire Commissioner website at www.ofc.alberta.ca or phone
1-866-421-6929. And for more information about fire safety and escape planning, visit
www.3minutedrill.alberta.ca.
Thank you for making fire safety your priority!
Sincerely,
Ross Bennett
Public Education Coordinator