Community Education

Font Size: + -

Avondale Fire and Medical exists to provide the highest level of fire prevention and public education to our residents. We embrace our diverse population and maintain strong ties within the Avondale community. For any questions, please email our Public Education Specialist, Sue Anglin, at EmailAFM@AvondaleAZ.gov

CPR/AED Instruction

A row of five red circular icons with white emergency symbols, representing the chain of survival: a phone for calling emergency services, hands performing CPR, a heart with a lightning bolt for defibrillation, an ambulance for emergency transport, and a hospital bed with vital signs for advanced medical care.

Schedule your CPR/ AED and First Aide class today by calling 623-333-2700.

The American Heart Association states that the 5 links in the adult out-of-hospital Chain of Survival are:

Recognition of cardiac arrest and activation of the emergency response system
Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with an emphasis on chest compressions
Rapid defibrillation (AED)
Basic and advanced emergency medical services
Advanced life support and post-cardiac arrest care

A strong Chain of Survival can improve the chances of survival and recovery of victims of cardiac arrest. According to a recent Save Hearts in Arizona Registry and Education (SHARE) report from ADHS, bystander CPR was performed in 71.7% of the cases of cardiac arrest in Avondale. Bystander CPR is integral in saving lives in Avondale and AFM wants to continue the trend by providing the public with CPR and AED training.

Find more information on the Out-of-Hospital Chain of Survival visit the American Heart Association website.

For more Information on the SHARE report visit the Arizona Department of Health Services page.

Fire Pals Program

The FirePal program guides and instructs Preschool through Third Grade students the basic skills necessary to protect themselves and their families when confronted with a fire emergency. This program reaches beyond the classroom to families in the process. We also offer free CPR training for middle school and high school students.

An experienced public educator is available to visit Avondale schools to expand student knowledge in these essential skills based on the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) fire safety curriculum and lesson plans which meet current Arizona Department of Education Health Standards. Topics include:

Smoke alarms/Home Fire Escape Plans

Fire Safety

CPR/First Aid

Water Safety

Caring for Younger Siblings

Bike and Helmet Safety

Free training is also available for community organizations in CPR, first aid, and the use of fire extinguishers. Please visit the Community Education page to request training online, email the department at EmailAFM@AvondaleAZ.gov, call 623-333-600, or fill out the link below.

Please fill out an Elementary School Safety Program service request through AviWise

Fire Truck at a Community Event

Avondale Fire engines may attend certain community events on a limited basis with prior approval. The crew will be available to meet and greet visitors and the engine will be on display. The event must meet certain criteria:

Event must have a fire or life safety theme
Event must be scheduled two weeks in advance
Prior approval must be given by the Battalion Chief

The engine must remain in-service

Request an engine at a community event by submitting an online service request through the AviWise website.

Two Avondale Fire & Medical firefighters stand beside an open fire truck, showing equipment to a group of young children wearing red plastic firefighter helmets, during a community education event.

Station Tours

Guided tours of Avondale fire stations are provided free of charge to the community as part of the Fire Prevention Division.

Tour Guidelines:

Tours must be scheduled 2 weeks in advance.
Tours are conducted Monday through Thursday 9 AM to 5 PM.
Tours may be scheduled on select Saturdays.
Tours last approximately 45-60 minutes.

Children must be supervised by an accompanying adult at all times during the tour.
All visitors must wear appropriate clothing and covered footwear.
All stations are working stations and crews are on-duty, available for response during tours.
Visitors are encouraged to take photos and video. Photos and video may also be taken by on-duty personnel and shared on Fire Department social media platforms. Please inform the Community Outreach Coordinator prior to the tour if you do not give permission for photos or video. Please fill out the link below.

Schedule a tour by filling out the online service request form through the AviWise Website.

A firefighter explains the control panel and tools inside a fire engine to a group of curious children during a station tour or community safety demonstration.

Car Seat Education and Installation

Child passenger safety is very important at Avondale Fire and Medical. Arizona law requires that any child under the age of 8 and under 4'9" tall must be in a child restraint when in a vehicle. A certified Child Passenger Safety Technician will be happy to share education on the safest way to transport your child, the appropriate child restraint to use, and inspect child restraint installations at no cost to you. Child restraint inspections are done by appointment at Avondale Fire Station 173, 11510 W. Durango Street. Please know that Avondale Fire and Medical has a limited number of Child Restraint Technicians, who are in the office Monday through Thursday. Requests received Friday through Sunday will be handled the next business day. Please fill out the form below.

Submit a service request for a car seat inspection appointment through the AviWise Website.

For tips on selecting and installing your child's car seat, please visit SAFEKIDS Worldwide website and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.

Stop The Bleed

This is a free two hour class taught by Avondale Fire and Medical paramedics and hospital personnel. AFM's Stop The Bleed program aims to teach our community how to stop severe, uncontrolled bleeding until EMS arrives. Subject matter taught will include why severe, uncontrolled bleeding is dangerous, how to recognize it, and how to use tourniquets or other devices to control bleeding. To inquire about a class please contact our offices at EmailAFM@AvondaleAZ.gov

A white hand in a red stop sign logo next to the words stop the bleed above a red line with save a life written in white over the line.

Ride Along Program

Two firefighters sit in the front seats of a fire truck. The engineer drives on the left hand side facing the windshield and the Captain sits on the left with a laptop in front of them. The road can be seen through the windshield with cars pulling over to the right side to allow the fire truck to pass.

Avondale Fire & Medical is happy to host citizens 18 years and above who are interested in experiencing what it is like to be an Avondale Firefighter. Per department policy, interested citizens are limited to two (2) four-hour Ride Along per calendar year. Participants must be older than 18 years of age and have no physical limitations of a nature that would jeopardize the safety of the individual or others. All Civilian Ride Alongs will be required to sign a Waiver of Liability and an Acknowledgement of HIPPA Obligation prior to participation.

Submit a service request to participate in a Ride Along through the AviWise Website.

Safe Baby Havens

Passed in 2001, Arizona's Safe Haven Law states that a person will not face criminal charges for leaving an unharmed newborn baby with a Safe Haven provider, Including hospitals, Fire Stations, on-duty firefighters or emergency medical technicians. All Avondale Fire Stations are Safe Baby Havens with special supplies to care for infants.

You must hand your baby to an on-duty firefighter. DO NOT leave the baby unattended. Tell the firefighter this is a Safe Haven baby and you may leave, with no questions asked. The baby must be unharmed and under 72 hours old. For more information on the Safe Haven Law, please visit Arizona Safe Baby Haven website.

Safe Baby Haven logo of a baby head resting in a hand under a roof. Under the logo says Safe Baby Haven only when staff is present.

Smoke Alarm Installation

Avondale Fire & Medical Department will be installing FREE BATTERY POWERED SMOKE ALARMS to the Historic neighborhoods in Avondale.

Additional Smoke Alarm Walks will be conducted for other historic neighborhoods that have not been visited.

Ensure your safety with working smoke alarms in your home. Properly installed and maintained alarms offer crucial early warning in fire emergencies. Shockingly, three out of five fire deaths occur where smoke alarms are absent or not functional. With no smoke alarms present, over one-third of home fire fatalities transpire. By having operational smoke alarms, you cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half.