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San Francisco Fire Department expands battalion safety fairs, distributes roughly 800 smoke detectors in 2017
Summary
Lieutenant Jonathan Baxter outlined SFFD's battalion safety fairs—monthly neighborhood outreach that delivers hands-only CPR, fire extinguisher demos and multilingual materials—crediting City College students, NERRT volunteers and community partners; the department said it gave about 800 smoke detectors so far in 2017.
San Francisco Fire Department Public Information Officer Lieutenant Jonathan Baxter told the Fire Commission on Sept. 13 that the department’s battalion safety fairs—launched in 2016—are intended to bring prevention education directly into neighborhoods. "We started this off around January 16 asking neighborhood groups, businesses and schools what they wanted from their fire department," Baxter said, describing monthly events that pair firefighters, EMS personnel and community volunteers to teach hands-only CPR, smoke-detector safety and fire extinguisher use.
Baxter said the fairs aim to meet residents where they are and to make firefighters familiar faces in their battalions. He gave the Commission a usage comparison: the department distributed about 88 smoke detectors in 2015 and approximately 800 in the first nine months of 2017. "If they live in a private residence and they're not able to afford one, those are the people that we're targeting," Baxter said, explaining the department screens recipients and offers follow-up safety checks with the prevention team.
The program relies on partners and volunteers, Baxter said, including City College Fire Science students who provide canvassing and outreach; he asked those students in the room to stand for applause. He also highlighted coordination with the Neighborhood Emergency Response (NERRT) teams and nonprofit Rebuilding SF, which can install detectors and other safety devices for qualifying households. Baxter noted safety materials have been produced in six languages: English, Spanish, Chinese (written Chinese), Russian, Tagalog and Vietnamese, and said the department is working to improve parity of targeted messaging across languages.
Commissioners praised the outreach’s growth and urged continued attention to seniors and traditional broadcast outreach so older residents can be reached. The department said it is evaluating event times and formats — including whether some fairs should be held on weekends or later in the day — to broaden participation.
The Commission had no formal action on the item; members encouraged the department to continue expanding multilingual materials, volunteer engagement and partnerships that can help install detectors and provide home safety follow-ups.
