Detroit Fire Department hosts April DFD Safety Series webinar on fire escape planning

Join us online Wednesday, April 9 at 6 p.m. at detroitmi.gov/SafetySeries
Attendees will learn how to create a fire escape plan for their home or business

The Detroit Fire Department (DFD) is continuing its commitment to public safety education with the next installment of its DFD Safety Series webinar. The April session will focus on a critical aspect of fire safety: how to create a fire escape plan for homes and businesses. The webinar will take place Wednesday, April 9^th, and will be hosted online.

This month's featured presenter is Captain Edward Davis of the Public Instruction Unit. Davis is a veteran fire safety expert with extensive experience in fire prevention and emergency preparedness. He will be joined by Fire Marshal Don Thomas, who will serve as the webinar host. Together, they will guide attendees through the essential steps needed to develop a comprehensive and effective fire escape plan.

“This webinar series is part of our larger mission to ensure that every Detroit resident and business owner has the knowledge and resources they need to stay safe in the event of an emergency,” said Fire Commissioner Simms, who launched the DFD Safety Series initiative. “Fire safety education saves lives, and we want to make sure that every family and business in our city has a clear, well-rehearsed fire escape plan in place.”

April Safety Series Webinar pic1 — Detroit resident Timberely Williams says working on a fire escape plan before an emergency happens is the best way she can keep her children safe.

Why Fire Escape Planning is Essential

Fires can grow quickly, leaving only minutes to escape safely. That is why having a fire escape plan in place is not just important—it is lifesaving. Fire Marshal Don Thomas emphasized the importance of preparation. “A well-designed and practiced fire escape plan ensures that everyone knows exactly what to do and where to go in an emergency,” said Thomas. “Whether you’re at home with your family or managing a business with employees and customers, having a clear strategy in place can mean the difference between life and death.”

The webinar will incorporate best practices from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and DFD’s extensive fire safety training. Key topics include:

Drawing a Fire Escape Map: Creating a detailed floor plan of your home or business, marking all exits, windows, and potential escape routes.
Establishing Two Ways Out: Identifying at least two exit routes from every room in case one is blocked by fire or smoke.
Setting a Meeting Place: Choosing a safe location outside where everyone can gather after escaping.
Practicing Fire Drills: Running regular fire drills with family members or employees to ensure everyone knows how to respond in an emergency.
Checking Smoke Alarms: Ensuring that smoke detectors are properly installed and tested monthly to provide an early warning.
Special Considerations: Planning for children, elderly family members, pets, and individuals with mobility challenges to ensure that everyone can evacuate safely.

April Safety Series Webinar pic2 — Captain Edward Davis walks Ms. Williams through the process of creating a fire escape plan for her home.

DFD’s Public Instruction Unit: Supporting Local Businesses

The DFD Public Instruction Unit works closely with businesses throughout Detroit to conduct evacuation drills and improve safety preparedness. Businesses that participate in these exercises benefit from hands-on guidance from fire safety professionals, helping them develop and test their own fire escape plans.

“We’ve seen firsthand how businesses that prepare in advance are able to respond more effectively in a fire emergency,” said Captain Davis. “From high-rise office buildings to small neighborhood shops, every business should have a clear evacuation plan that employees understand and can execute without hesitation.”

Business owners attending the webinar will receive specific guidance on how to work with the Fire Marshal Division to create fire escape plans tailored to their workplace environments, including best practices for ensuring customer safety.

April Safety Series Webinar pic3 — Captain Edward Davis and team working with a local business to help ensure safe occupants are ready to safely evacuate in the case of an emergency.

Upcoming Webinars in the DFD Safety Series

The DFD Safety Series will continue with two additional webinars in the coming months:

May 14: Summer Fire Safety – Learn how to keep your family safe while grilling, using fire pits, or handling fireworks, with host Lt. Stacy Taylor of the Community Relations Division.
June 11: HEARTSafe in Detroit – Find out what it means to be HEARTSafe and how you can get involved in lifesaving efforts across the city, with host Captain Jeffrey Forbes of the EMS Training Division.