Public Education
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.
Programs -
School-Based Programs
Pre-School: Pre School classes are offered upon request to the community to introduce children to basic fire safety skills.
Elementary School: Fire Prevention Month — October — is our busiest month in terms of education efforts. We target all kindergarten, first, and second graders in the City elementary schools and focus on Fire 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.
High School: High School students are given the opportunity to meet with firefighters one on one to find out about career opportunities in the fire service during career fairs. (Available upon request)
Thornton Youth Community Outreach (TYCO): 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.
Explorers Program: 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.
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.
For more information, see the brochure on the right side of the page or visit - https://bit.ly/YouthFS to schedule an appointment.
Adult/Senior Programs
Audible Alert Smoke Alarms: Audible Alert Smoke alarms are available to Thornton citizens who meet need requirements. We will install smoke alarms for individuals who are physically challenged and/or elderly and are in need of assistance. All families who do not have a working smoke alarm in their home and do not have means to obtain one should call Fire Administration at 303-538-7602 for assistance.
Academies -
Hook and Ladder Academy
Next Session will be offered in 2024
The Thornton Fire Department and North Metro Fire District will be offering a joint a Hook and Ladder Academy July 24-28 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 30 partcipants.
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, July 7, at 5 p.m. This program is not for fire department employment or certification.
Citizens Fire Academy - Next session will be offered in Spring 2024
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 six 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 16-May 18 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, February 17.
Community Events -
The Thornton Fire Department is available for fire, health and safety public education presentations at community events; however, fire engines and/or ambulances are not normally assigned to these events. We do not participate in carnivals or fairs. Fire station tours are scheduled Thursday - Saturday between the hours of 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., although some evening tours are scheduled for extenuating circumstances. A two-week advance notice is required to schedule all station tours and public appearance requests. For more information, view the "Schedule a Visit" tab or call Community Safety and Information Officer Sabrina Iacovetta at 720-872-6092 or email at sabrina.iacovetta@thorntonco.gov