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Contact: Marty Doll, Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-826-0396 • Fax 952-826-0390 • Web www.CityofEdina.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Edina Fire Department teaches kids about fire safety
Edina, Minn., Oct. 8, 2009 – Since the 1950s, the Edina Fire Department has been conducting
numerous public education classes throughout the community, and 2009 was no exception.
Public education efforts are shared by the entire department and spearheaded by Fire Marshal Tom
Jenson and firefighter/paramedic Dave Ehmiller. Yearly presentations to the City’s preschool through
second-grade students began in early September. Over an eight-week period, the Edina Fire Department
will conduct close to 70 safety presentations, reaching nearly 2,500 children.
The primary focus of this year’s curriculum is preventing burns, with emphasis being placed on avoiding
things like hot stoves, pots and pans and curling irons. Kids are also being asked to remind their parents to
check that their water heater is set below 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Topics such as preventing home fires;
“stop, drop and roll;” unattended cooking; candles; the danger of playing with matches; the importance of
smoke alarms and having a home fire escape plan are also emphasized.
“Our public education efforts are very important,” said Jenson. “Something as simple as asking kids to
remind their parents to check the batteries in their smoke alarms can help save lives. [According to the
National Fire Protection Agency,] 40 percent of all home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no
smoke alarms.”
The Fire Department will wrap up its fall school presentations in mid-November and pick up again in the
spring at the Edina Family Center.
For more information, visit www.CityofEdina.com/Fire or call the Edina Fire Department at 952-826-
0378.
Cutline:
Ehmiller1.jpg: Edina Firefighter/Paramedic Dave Ehmiller gives Normandale kindergarten students
an opportunity for an “up-close” look at firefighter in full gear.
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