The Thornton Fire Department is committed to providing community education programs to the residents in our community. Basic fire safety skills, including what to do when your clothes catch on fire, home escape planning in the event of a fire, and how to report an emergency, are taught to preschool and elementary school-age students.
But that's just the beginning. We build upon that foundation by offering a variety of other programs, targeting audiences from the young child to senior citizens. Some of the programs we offer are: Youth Fire Setting Intervention, Business Fire Safety Workshops, and Station Tours.
School-Based Programs
Pre-School classes are offered upon request to the community to introduce children to basic fire safety skills.
Fire Prevention Month — October — is our busiest month in terms of education efforts. We target all kindergarten, first, and second graders in Thornton elementary schools and focus on Fire and Life Safety Education. We also offer a "Third Grade Partnership" program. Firefighters are available to partner with a school and teach valuable lessons in fire science, burn injury, controlled and uncontrolled fires, making appropriate decisions, bike safety, and the many roles of the Fire Department in the community.
In 2018, the City of Thornton Fire Department created a new volunteer program for the City. This program was named the Thornton Youth Community Outreach (TYCO) program. It set out with the simple objective to provide the youth of our community with a positive volunteering experience. The volunteers who have been selected are from the youths of our community who have a passion in one day becoming a career first responder. Since 2018 our TYCO volunteers have given their dedicated, hardworking, positive attitudes, and skills to the citizens of Thornton. Some examples of events that our members have been involved with are supporting city festivals, street clean up team, planting trees, water conservation efforts, and assisting the City of Thornton Fire Department with training just to name a few. The members of TYCO not only build interpersonal skills while helping others, they also receive mentorship and guidance in their desired career path of being a first responder. If you are interested in being a career first responder who would like to dedicate some of your time to our community please contact Firefighter/Engineer Justin Currey at justin.currey@thorntonco.gov.
In 2018, the City of Thornton Fire Department developed and began it's Explorers Program. The TFD Explorers Program gives young individuals, ages 15-21, the opportunity to work side-by-side with career firefighter's to learn firefighting skills. Through hand on skills training, Explorers are able to gain insights into the expectations of the fire service. Explorers will learn about the physical and mental demands of being a firefighter while also receiving mentorship in navigating the complex dynamics of beginning their career. Training for Explorers is broken up into two days per month. Day one consists of rigorous physical training designed to challenge the body and mind. Day two consists of drills that firefighter's use to sharpen their skills on emergency calls. These skills include fire suppression, victim rescue, ventilation, emergency medical scene management, vehicle extrication, and lessons on firefighter tools and their uses.
To be selected as a Thornton Fire Explorer you must be a member in good standing of the Thornton Youth Community Outreach (TYCO) program. For information on TYCO see paragraph above. If you are interested in receiving more information, please contact Firefighter/Engineer Justin Currey at justin.currey@thorntonco.gov.
Academies
The Thornton Fire Department and North Metro Fire Rescue District will be offering a joint Hook and Ladder Academy July 15-19 for youth ages 15-18. This 40-hour Academy is intended to educate young adults about careers in the fire service.
Each day will focus on different subjects, including emergency medical services, hazardous material response, fire prevention, auto extrication, public education, and technical rescue. Students will participate in classroom sessions, practical evolutions, and experience several hands-on firefighting techniques, including handling a fire hose and using a fire extinguisher. Applicants must be a student currently attending school or residing in the cities of Thornton, Northglenn, or Broomfield and agree to a background check.
The Academy is free and will meet Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the North Metro Fire Training Center (1006 Co Rd 11, Northglenn, CO 80516). Applications must be completed online using the link on the right side of the webpage and will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants who have participated before or who are currently enrolled in a fire/EMS program in school will be placed on a waitlist and may be accepted if spots are available after the deadline. The class size is limited to 25 participants.
For more information, contact Community Safety and Information Officer Sabrina Iacovetta at 720-872-6092 or sabrina.iacovetta@thorntonco.gov. Applications are due no later than Friday, June 14, at 5 p.m. This program is not for fire department employment or certification.
Get FIRED Up!!
750 gallons! That's how much water is on a fire truck. 50 pounds! That's how much a firefighter's protective clothing and air pack weigh. Do you have other questions you would like to ask? Want to increase your knowledge about your Fire Department? How would you like to get an insider's view of the Thornton Fire Department? Now's your chance! Thornton Fire offers a Citizens' Fire Academy to increase citizen knowledge and understanding of Fire Department daily and emergency operations and to promote citizen interaction with the firefighters and paramedics.
Students will participate in classroom sessions, practical evolutions, and visit all seven fire stations. Participants will experience several hands-on firefighting techniques including handling a fire hose and using a fire extinguisher.
The Thornton Citizens' Fire Academy is a hands-on learning program and a great opportunity for individuals that reside in the City of Thornton who want to know more about their Fire Department. This program is not for Fire Department employment or certification.
The Citizens' Academy is FREE and will meet on Thursday evenings from 6:00-9:30 p.m. from March 14-May 9 with a Saturday special hands-on training. Each evening will focus on different subjects including EMS, Hazardous Material Responses, Auto Extrication, Public Education, Technical Rescue, and much more.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, live or work in Thornton and agree to a background check. Applications must be completed on-line using the link on the right side of the web-page and will be processed in the order they are received, class size is limited to 20. For information, contact Community Safety and Information Officer Sabrina Iacovetta at 720-872-6092 or sabrina.iacovetta@thorntonco.gov Applications are due no later than Friday, March 1.
Youth Fire Setting Intervention
The Thornton Fire Department offers an educational program for Youth Firesetters ages 4 to 18. This program provides an opportunity for the child’s level of firesetting/fire-play to be evaluated through an educational and awareness assessment with the child and at least one parent or guardian.
The Youth Firesetter Program is free through a parent referral. There is a fee should a child age 10 and over receive a citation for firesetting. Parent referral's can be completed through one appointment, while two appointments and homework are required for those that receive a citation.
If you can answer yes to any of the following questions, your child may be at risk for fire-setting behavior:
Has your child ever experienced a major change or stress in his or her life such as a recent loss due to health, divorce, a move, or a loss of friendship?
Does your child have problems at school, such as discipline issues, learning problems, or unexplained absences?
Has your child had recent changes in behavior?
Does your child exhibit behaviors such as stealing, lying, and drug or alcohol use?
Does your child have learning or attention-related deficits, temper tantrums, mood swings, impulsive behaviors, or excessive anger?
Does your child show extreme curiosity about fire?
Is your child curious about fire-starting materials like matches and lighters?
Has your child ever started a fire?
Does your child collect fire materials?
Does your child fail to extinguish a fire that was started?
Has your child ever played with fire?
Has your child ever bragged about starting fires?
Does your child sometimes stare at fire for long periods of time?
Has your child had prior contact with law enforcement officials?
Has your child ever started a fire out of anger or to harm someone?
If you notice your child exhibiting any of the indicators above and you are concerned, please feel free to contact our Fire Administration at 303-538-7602 and ask to speak to one of our Certified Youth Firesetter Interventionists.
Fire Station Tours
Fire Station Tours are an excellent way to gain first-hand knowledge about life in a fire station and are educational for all groups. Tours are available to various community groups such as:
Preschools
School Groups
Scout Groups
Church Groups
Tours are very educational and generally last one hour. Tours include visiting the firefighter living quarters, viewing fire and medical equipment and discussion of fire and life safety practices. Visits may be abruptly ended or postponed if personnel must respond to an emergency.
Children must be closely supervised. There should be at least one adult per five children. Children under the age of four are discouraged from tours since they are often frightened by the excitement and do not understand the tour.
We do ask that a group be arranged for a station tour and encourage young children to visit us at outdoor events such movies and concerts in the parks to come and see the fire engines and medic units in a more relaxed setting.
For your convenience we also have a virtual Fire Station Tour video available to assist with your educational needs or to view at your convenience.
The Thornton Fire Department does not host birthday parties or send fire engines to birthday parties.
To schedule a tour, please fill out Fire Station Tour request form. Requests must be made at least two weeks in advance.
The Thornton Fire Department is available for fire, health and safety public education presentations at community events; however, fire engines and/or medic units attendance is scheduled based on availability. A two-week advance notice is required to schedule all station tours and public appearance requests. To schedule a visit, fill out the on-line request form.
