Through the years much has been accomplished with a variety of programs and methods. The efforts of this section and the entire department have resulted in trends establishing statistically significant hope for our city's fire safety. The adoption in 1982 of a mandatory smoke detector ordinance, the Learn Not To Burn Program efforts in the school system, and education of the general public has resulted in declines in the rate of fire death, reductions in the number of fires, and decreased property loss. Since inception, the smoke detector ordinance has been a major factor in reducing the annual fatality rate from an average of 11 to less than four.

Among the many programs utilized over the past 10 years to deliver fire safety to the citizens are the use of outdoor advertising, fire safety exhibits at malls, specialized programs for children including the National Fire Protection Association's Learn Not To Burn curriculum which is directed at first, third, and fifth grade students, Sesame Street, and the Junior Fire Marshal program. In addition, general fire safety lectures and discussions with many groups are conducted. The annual fire brigade school is moving into its twentieth year of providing general fire prevention and "hands on" firefighting for local businesses. The ever popular Firesafety Caravan will roll for the thirty-fourth consecutive year in 1986 with fire safety Clown Safety Sam. Safety Sam is a descendant of the department's fire safety clown of the 1930's, Smoky, and will be utilized city wide at all public, private, and parochial schools.

Currently, Pluggie a remote controlled fire hydrant is utilized in programs for children and adults. Other new initiatives by the section have included a radio program dedicated to fire service issues and hosted by a member of the section, creation of radio and television public service announcements, staged media events for local news organizations to highlight fire hazards on a seasonal basis, and the provision of a Public Information Officer during major emergency incidents.

The Public Education staff consists of five members who function in dual roles as fire safety educators/fire inspectors. Primary inspection duties involve places of public assembly such as schools, colleges, day care centers, nursing homes, hospitals, and churches. Also provided through this section is the liaison function between the Operations and Fire Prevention Divisions which provides a valuable informational link for line personnel.

Through the years the Wichita Fire Department has and will continue to utilize and consider new as well as time proven methods to achieve the fire safety goals of out City. The Public Education Section looks forward to meeting the challenges of the future with the dedication, determination, and skill that will help Wichita, LEARN NOT TO BURN.