The Detroit Fire Department (DFD) hosted its second Fire Leadership Roundtable today at Detroit Public Safety Headquarters.
Community Relations
The Community Relations Division (CRD) acts as a liaison between the community and the Fire Department. Ensuring our residents have the information they need to stay safe is a top priority of the Community Relations Division. Whether they’re hosting fire prevention and safety presentations, hands-only CPR training, or participating in large-scale community events such as Fire Prevention Week and Halloween in the D, the Community Relations Division is here for the residents of Detroit.
The Chief of the Community Relations Division, James Harris, has been with the Detroit Fire Department for 27 years. He oversees a highly motivated team of three who lead community engagement and public education throughout the City of Detroit. The team is busy at work daily in the community; you will see them at workshops, schools, public events, block club gatherings and community meetings.
The Community Relations Division works alongside the EMS Training Division to lead the city’s efforts in training citizens on Hands-only CPR, to continue meeting standards set by the City of Detroit’s HEARTSafe Community designation. The team is also responsible for the deployment of the Detroit Fire Department’s Mobile Fire Safety House, and coordinates apparatus appearances and requests for tours of firehouses.
The Community Relations Division is also overseeing the Detroit Smoke Alarm Program (DSAP), which launched in 2024 with a goal of installing 5000 smoke alarms citywide, and launched the DFD Safety Series, a monthly educational webinar series, at the beginning of 2025.
Hands Only CPR Training
Most people who survive a cardiac emergency which occurs outside the hospital receive bystander CPR. The City of Detroit is the largest city to earn the designation of a HEARTSafe Community due in part to the work we are doing to train residents in CPR. The Detroit Fire Department’s Community Relations Division is pleased to offer free Hands-Only-CPR and AED use training. This invaluable training is available to all citizens. The Community Relations Division does not offer “CPR certifications”.
Mobile Fire Safety House
The Detroit Fire Department has a mobile fire safety house and uses this for community events to help educate residents, especially our children, on fire prevention and best practices for escaping a home should a fire break out.
The Fire Safety House is equipped with a kitchen, bedroom, and living room, which feature the types of hidden hazards people should be aware of in their home. This mobile classroom is especially designed to teach vital burn-prevention and fire- escape techniques through a fun, safe simulation of common hazards.
During training, the Fire Safety House fills with non-toxic smoke to teach children to crawl low to safety.
Residents can request the Mobile Fire Safety House and training at the link on our website. The charge is $250/hour with a 2-hour minimum.
Career Day Speaker
Being a member of the Detroit Fire Department isn’t just having a job. It’s a life-changing career opportunity that allows members the unique opportunity to serve the citizens of the City of Detroit. Using their exceptional training, our members are there in our residents’ greatest time of need, whether it’s to put out a fire or tend to an illness or injury. Learning about what it takes to be a member of the Detroit Fire Department is a fun and exciting topic for the students of our city.
Firehouse Tours
Do you ever wonder what it’s like to be a Firefighter or an Emergency Medical Technician? You can request a free tour of your local fire house. The Firehouse Tour Program provides the public with a detailed tour of the Firehouse and information on the various apparatus housed at the station. We do our best to accommodate requests, depending on the availability of our staff.
Request fire apparatus for your event
The Detroit Fire Department Apparatus/Community Event Program allows the community to request a Fire Apparatus (Engine/Ladder) for a community event, based on availability, and if weather permits. It is advised that community organizations schedule other attractions and activities, as all Fire Apparatus must be available to respond to an emergency should the need arise.
ADA Coordination
The Detroit Fire Department has added an ADA Coordinator to improve accessibility to fire safety and education materials for individuals with disabilities. The Detroit Fire Department provides smoke alarms specifically for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing residents and will facilitate fire safety presentations that target the disability community, including the creation of tailored evacuation plans for residents with disabilities. You can contact DFD’s ADA Coordinator at [email protected].