The Milpitas Fire Department has begun a residential smoke detector maintenance program. At every residential contact, Fire Officers will verify the presence and operability of smoke detectors. When a detector is non-functional, a new battery will be installed. If after replacing the battery the detector still does not work, a brochure will be left to provide smoke detector information. Fire Personnel will encourage all residents to purchase a new smoke detector. In the event the resident is unable to purchase a detector, Fire Personnel will offer a battery operated smoke detector free of charge for installation.

This program's goal is to improve the publics awareness to fire and fire safety. It is our hope, that through education and placement of early warning devices, the loss of life can be reduced.

A residential fire impacts the life of an American family every 85 seconds. Properly installed smoke alarms are only half the battle in protecting your family against the threat of a home fire. You also need to make sure each and every alarm is equipped with a working battery. Why?

• Each day, an average of three children die in home fires - 82 percent of fire deaths involving children occur in homes without working smoke alarms.
• Although 94 percent of homes in the U.S. have smoke alarms, 20 percent don't work due to worn or missing batteries.
• By providing early warning and critical extra seconds to escape, smoke alarms cut your family's risk of dying in a fire in half - but only if they work.

Smoke Detectors Information (PDF)

Maintaining your Home Smoke Detectors:
The City of Milpitas Bureau of Fire Prevention has developed some information on the importance of maintaining home smoke detectors. This information is in Multi languages list below:

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Career Days

Milpitas Firefighters visit local high schools and participate in their career days to share their experience. Students have the opportunity to ask questions and seek information on the education and skills necessary to begin a career in the fire service.

To schedule a career day, call the Public Education Officer at 408-586-3375, or send us an email.

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Fire Aides

Milpitas Volunteer Partners Program

The City of Milpitas offers many programs, activities, and services for the community. Volunteers are recruited to assist in various City programs to support and supplement existing resources. Volunteer opportunities exist in all City Department and Divisions.

The Milpitas Fire Department utilizes volunteers in three areas:

• The Public Education section of the Bureau of Fire Prevention performs a variety of tasks aimed at furthering fire safety and prevention awareness.
• Fire Suppression Training section is responsible to ensure all employees are trained and certified in their respective job assignments.
• Office of Emergency Services is responsible to ensure City staff is trained in the State’s "SEMS" procedures and, to respond in case of a disaster.

To become involved with the program, or more information call 408-586-2787.

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Fire Station Visits

Fire Station Visits
Schools and local community groups can visit a local Fire Station to meet firefighters. Milpitas Firefighters work a "shift-schedule" consisting of a 24-hour work schedule. Visitors can experience the unique setting of "home and work" and see how firefighters live like a family in the fire station. To set up tours call the Public Education Office at 408-586-3375, or e-mail a request to mlopez@ci.milpitas.ca.gov.

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Links To Other Useful Information

American Society of Landscape Architects
California Department of Fish & Game
California Landscape Contractors Association
California State Fire Marshal's Office
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Fire District Association of California
Fire: What you can do to protect your home.
The Garden Forum
National Fire Protection Association
Fire Safe Council
Santa Clara County Government
San Jose Mercury News Fire Information Page
USDA, USDI & NFPA sponsored
FEMA  
National Inter-agency Fire Center
California Department of Forestry

Other City and County Sites:
www.sjfd.com/
www.ci.kennewick.wa.us/fire/fire.htm
www.city.davis.ca.us/fire/
www.ci.redding.ca.us/fire/prevention.htm
www.lafd.org/brush
www.rocklin.ca.gov/fire/fire.html
www.srvfpd.dst.ca.us/preventi.htm
www.ventura.org/fire/
www.ci.red-bluff.ca.us/fire/
www.ci.carlsbad.ca.us/cserv/brushman

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Santa Clara County FireSafe Council

Viewing the brochures listed below requires an Adobe Acrobat Reader which may be downloaded for free.

Santa Clara County FireSafe Council
Fire Safety Advisory

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Disabled Person Registration Program

What is the Disabled Person Registration Program?
The Disabled Person Registration Program consists of the Fire Department developing a listing of disabled persons residing within the City. The information would be confidential and accessible only to Police, Fire and Emergency Dispatch personnel. This would allow emergency responders to be alerted that a disabled person resides there. This will help us help you!

There is no charges or costs involved. It is absolutely free.
Please fill out the form below and send it to the address indicated. If you prefer, a Fire Engine can be sent to your residence to assist in completing the form.

Live Near an Exit:
If you live in an apartment, you'll be safest on the ground floor. In a two story house, arrange to sleep on the first floor. Being near an exit will make your escape easier. A ramp may facilitate an emergency exit. Be sure to have a telephone by your bed.

Install Smoke Detector:
One in every bedroom. One on each level of the house. Test monthly. Replace batteries once a year.

Plan and Practice Your Escape:
Know at least two ways out of every room. Practice your plan twice a year. Plan your escape around your abilities. Every plan needs a meeting place.

Once Out Stay Out:
Never go back into the building until the firefighter say it is safe.

Residents with security bars:
Doors or windows need quick-release mechanisms. These devices operate from inside, and allow bars to be opened for emergency escape. They should be approved devices which easily open without the use of a key, special knowledge or effort.

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The Vial of Life -
Lifesaving Information for Emergencies

Milpitas Fire Department introduces the Vial of Life Program to the community. The Vial of Life Program is a free program designed for seniors and individuals with serious medical conditions to provide pertinent medical information to emergency personnel who respond to and treat home emergencies. The Vial of Life contains much of the medical history needed by the responding emergency personnel, such as existing medical conditions, allergies, medication currently being taken, and emergency contact information.

Vial of Life participants complete a Medical Information Form, which is then put into a small medical vial. A "Vial of Life" label is attached to the vial which is then place on the top shelf of the participant's refrigerator. A second "Vial of Life" label is placed on the upper outside of the refrigerator in plain view.

If emergency personnel are called to the home, the label on the refrigerator will alert them that medical information is located inside. In many cases, this information could prove invaluable to the responders. Vial of Life packets may be obtained at all Milpitas Fire Stations. For additional information, contact the Milpitas Fire Department, Public Education Officer Michael Lopez at (408) 586-3375.

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Young children are extremely vulnerable to fires because they do not fully understand its dangers and are less able to protect themselves. Therefore, it is critically important to teach them about fire safety and protective actions they should take in fire situations.

Children learn more effectively when information is presented using creative and interactive tools. The Milpitas Fire Department has developed various illustrations a Calendar on fire safety and injury prevention for children to color, games, such as a word match, maze and crossword puzzle for them to complete to emphasize these lessons. These are all available in a printable version online in PDF format.

Please feel free to print and use this material to help your children learn about fire safety in their everyday life.

Fire and Life Safety Calendar - Coloring Book

Crossword Puzzle

Earthquake Puzzle

Fire Prevention Puzzle

Fire Safety Maze

True or False?

Word Find

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