DFR’s Adopt A School Program helping keep kids on the right path

Dallas Fire-Rescue’s Adopt A School program is teaching kids about fire safety, and a whole lot more, said DFR Captain James Russ.

Capt. Russ updated the Public Safety Committee about the progress of the outreach which began as a pilot program last year. “Because we are in the community a lot, we can help provide these children with role models they can actually talk to,” he said. “We need to build that one on one relationship, and influence them in a positive manner,” he said.

“Lots of children think that we just put out fires,” he told the Committee. “We help them understand the EMS aspect; inspections, life safety division and different career paths we have within the department.”

DFR assigns schools with a firefighter who acts as a liaison between the school and the department. and works with school staff to create curriculum that relates directly to the needs of the school and the community.

The program also supports DFR’s explorer program and Camp L.A.D.D.E.R. (Ladies Achieving Dreams with Dedication Enthusiasm and Respect). It’s also hoped that Adopt A School will be a stepping stone for recruiting the next generation of DFR members.