Hillsborough County Fire Rescue (HCFR) provides public education and outreach to schools, community, and corporate audiences on many different safety topics
All programs are provided at no cost to the businesses and residents of unincorporated Hillsborough County.
Programs are divided into recommended age groups. View description, participant capacity, targeted age group, and duration for each class, and use the buttons to schedule the events.
Please allow up to three weeks for scheduling.
All ages
These events are open for participants of all ages.
Engine Visit
A fire engine will visit your location and offer participants a chance to observe the vehicle and its tools and gain insight into firefighting operations. Children will witness firefighters in their bunker gear and air packs, and firefighters will cover topics such as home escape plans and their community assistance role.
Remember: The apparatus is in service and is required to respond to any calls that might be dispatched during your scheduled timeframe. This may result in the engine missing part or all of your visit. Please have a backup plan in the event this occurs.
Due to the weight of the apparatus, the vehicle must be parked on a paved surface. Please reserve a suitable space, with direct road access, that the vehicle can back into. This will enable the crew to leave quickly if they are called to an emergency.
- Ages: All ages
- Program Length: 30-45 minutes
- Capacity: 200 participants
To request this program, click the button below to fill out the online form. Please allow up to three weeks for scheduling.
Station Tour
Explore the world of on-duty firefighters by visiting your nearby fire station. Take a tour of the station's communal spaces, meet the dedicated crew, and gain insights into their daily duties. Get an up-close look at the fire engine and discover the tools and equipment it carries. Experience a firefighter's perspective as they wear bunker gear and share valuable insights into fire safety best practices.
Please be aware that the station is in service and may need to respond to calls during your scheduled visit. This could result in the station being unavailable for part or all of your time frame. It's important to have a backup plan in case this happens.
If the crew is called away for an emergency, everyone in your group must promptly and safely exit the building as directed by the Captain. While you may wait outdoors until they return, your group cannot remain inside the fire station unattended.
- Ages: All ages
- Capacity: Maximum of 20 visitors, including parents/chaperones.
- Program Length: 45-60 minutes
To request this program, click the button below to fill out the online form. Please allow up to three weeks for scheduling.
Fire & Life Safety class
Receive essential education and safety skills from Hillsborough County Fire Rescue to protect your home and workplace against the risks of fire. This program covers topics such as smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and escape planning. Participants will get hands-on experience by practicing with a virtual fire extinguisher.
Please note that a training certificate will not be provided.
- Ages: All Ages
- Program Length: 30 minutes
- Capacity: No limit
To request this program, click the button below to fill out the online form. Please allow up to three weeks for scheduling.
Fire Safety Simulator
Participate in an interactive learning opportunity with Hillsborough County Fire Rescue inside the department's cutting-edge fire safety mobile unit. This simulator presents typical fire and emergency situations in household and industrial settings across three distinct spaces. Attendees can explore interactive rooms, gaining insights into kitchen safety, storm preparedness, industrial safety, escape planning, barbecue grill safety, propane hazards, natural gas emergencies, appliance safety, and electrical safety. The fire safety simulator enables our educators to offer hands-on demonstrations, enhancing the learning experience. While availability is limited, this simulator can be requested for large school, corporate, or public events.
- Ages: All ages
- Simulator Capacity: Maximum of 15 per session
- Session Length: 10 minutes per group
To request this program, click the button below to fill out the online form. Please allow up to three weeks for scheduling.
Preschool
These classes are designed for our youngest participants.
Learn to Dial 911
This interactive program is designed to teach young children the importance of emergency response and how to dial 911 correctly. Children will learn what constitutes an emergency and when it is appropriate to call 911. They will also memorize important information such as their address and phone number.
- Ages: 3-5
- Program Length: 20 minutes
- Capacity: 40 participants
To request this program, click the button below to fill out the online form. Please allow up to three weeks for scheduling.
Stay Safe, Tell an Adult
This engaging program is designed to teach young children the importance of staying safe around hot objects and recognizing potential dangers. Through interactive activities, children will learn to identify items that might be hot, such as stoves, irons, and heaters, and understand the risks associated with touching them.
- Ages: 3-5
- Program Length: 20 minutes
- Capacity: 40 participants
To request this program, click the button below to fill out the online form. Please allow up to three weeks for scheduling.
Stay Safe, Tell an Adult Class
ABCs of Fire Safety
This engaging program teaches children essential fire safety skills in a fun and interactive way. Participants will learn how to respond to a smoke alarm and the steps to take if there is a fire in the home. Through hands-on activities, demonstrations, and interactive lessons, children will gain the knowledge and confidence to stay safe in emergency situations.
- Ages: 3-5
- Program Length: 20 minutes
- Capacity: 40 participants
To request this program, click the button below to fill out the online form. Please allow up to three weeks for scheduling.
Water Safety
The water safety presentation featuring "Josh the Baby Otter" offers an engaging and interactive classroom experience for young children. It aims to impart knowledge about water safety with three key objectives: 1. Never approach water without an adult present. 2. Acquire the skill of floating and/or swimming before entering the water. 3. Always swim with a buddy.
- Ages: 3-6
- Program Length: 20 minutes
- Capacity: 40 participants
To request this program, click the button below to fill out the online form. Please allow up to three weeks for scheduling.
Grade school
This class is designed for K-3 grade.
Prepare with Pedro
Prepare with Pedro is an educational preparedness program designed for students in grades K-2. Presented by Hillsborough County Fire Rescue in collaboration with the American Red Cross, the program instructs students on how to be ready and take appropriate action in the event of home fires or local hazards such as hurricanes.
- Ages: 5-8
- Program Length: 30-45 minutes
- Capacity: 40 participants
To request this program, click the button below to fill out the online form. Please allow up to three weeks for scheduling.
Teens and adults
These classes are designed for participants who are 13 and older.
Hands-Only CPR and AED Training
Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, in partnership with the American Heart Association, teaches the life-saving skill of Hands-Only CPR. Participants will receive hands-on training, including realistic AED (Automated External Defibrillator) practice, empowering them to act confidently when help is needed. *HCFR provides Hands-Only CPR instruction and not certified CPR courses.
- Ages: 13 and up
- Program Length: 45-60 minutes
- Capacity: 30 participants
To request this program, click the button below to fill out the online form. Please allow up to three weeks for scheduling.
Stop the Bleed
Learn to recognize a life-threatening bleed and intervene effectively to save a life. Blood loss is the primary cause of preventable death following an injury. With three key actions, you can be trained to Stop The Bleed.
- Ages: 13 and up
- Program Length: 60 minutes
- Capacity: 30 participants
To request this program, click the button below to fill out the online form. Please allow up to three weeks for scheduling.
Fire Extinguisher Training
Participants will learn how to properly and safely operate a fire extinguisher and be prepared to suppress small fires. Participants will get hands-on experience by practicing with a virtual fire extinguisher. *Please note that a training certificate will not be provided.
- Ages: 13 and up
- Program Length: 30-45 minutes
- Capacity: 30 participants
To request this program, click the button below to fill out the online form. Please allow up to three weeks for scheduling.
Seniors
This class is designed for seniors or those taking care of older adults.
Senior Safety
Hillsborough County Fire Rescue provides an informative session on enhancing home safety for yourself or the seniors in your life. This program covers important topics such as fall prevention, common medication mistakes, escape planning, proper extinguisher use, the importance of smoke alarms, and cooking safety.
- Ages: Adults
- Program Length: 45-60 minutes
- Capacity: No limit
To request this program, click the button below to fill out the online form. Please allow up to three weeks for scheduling.
Request programs
All programs are provided at no cost to the businesses and residents of unincorporated Hillsborough County. Use the links above or call (813) 272-6600 to schedule programs for your school or organization.