The chapter discusses the fire officer's role in working with the community. As an ambassador, the fire officer must understand community demographics and needs to build goodwill and reduce fires and injuries. A key responsibility is conducting and developing public safety education programs. These programs help reduce risk through fire safety education. The chapter then outlines opportunities for public education and steps to develop local programs to educate the public.

1. Chapter 11 — Working in the Community
Fire Officer: Principles and
Practice
Third Edition

2. Chapter Overview
‣The fire officer is an ambassador of the fire department who will
be called upon to represent the department in a number of
situations. A fire officer’s challenge is to be able to meet the
community’s needs and respond to emergency incidents in a
manner that creates community goodwill and reduces fire-related
deaths and injuries. The fire officer is responsible for conducting,
and possibly helping to develop, public safety education programs.

3. ‣Discuss the role of demographics in fire department-community
relations (NFPA 4.3.1). (pp 204–206)
‣Discuss the role of fire safety education in risk reduction (NFPA
4.3) (NFPA 4.3.3). (pp 206–207)
‣List and describe opportunities for public education (NFPA 4.3)
(NFPA 4.3.1) (NFPA 4.3.3). (pp 207, 208–212)
‣List and describe steps to develop public education programs at
the local level (NFPA 4.3) (NFPA 4.3.1). (pp 212–213)
Learning Objective
After studying this chapter, you will be able to:

4. Section Slide
Section I: Introduction 4-5
Section II: Understanding the Community 6-7
Section III: Risk Reduction 8-13
Section IV: Public Education 14-28
Chapter Content