The Milwaukee Fire Education Center
At Benjamin Franklin School, student safety is a top priority. As part of our commitment to educating the whole child, students participate in the Survive Alive Program, a nationally recognized fire safety education initiative designed to teach children how to prevent fires and respond safely in the event of a home fire emergency.
The program takes place at the Milwaukee Fire Education Center’s Survive Alive House, located at 2059 South 20th Street in Milwaukee. Since opening in 1992, the Survive Alive House has provided life-saving fire safety education to thousands of Milwaukee children each year. The program is a collaborative effort between the Milwaukee Fire Department and Milwaukee Public Schools, with additional support from community partners and donors committed to promoting child safety.
Using the “Be Sure to Be Safe” curriculum, students participate in hands-on, interactive learning experiences that teach essential fire prevention and emergency response skills. Through realistic simulations and guided instruction, students learn:
- How to recognize fire hazards in the home.
- The importance of smoke alarms and fire safety planning.
- Safe escape procedures during a fire emergency.
- How to crawl under smoke and locate safe exits.
- The importance of identifying family meeting places.
- How and when to call 911.
- Ways to prevent fires and stay safe around heat sources and electrical equipment.
Research and community data have demonstrated the positive impact of the Survive Alive Program. Prior to the opening of the Survive Alive House, numerous children in Milwaukee lost their lives in residential fires. Since the program’s implementation, fire fatalities among school-age children have declined significantly, highlighting the importance of ongoing fire safety education.
As part of Milwaukee Public Schools’ commitment to student safety, all students in Grades 2 and 5 participate in a free educational field trip to the Survive Alive House. These visits provide age-appropriate instruction that equips students with practical skills they can use to protect themselves and their families.
Benefits to Benjamin Franklin Students
Through participation in the Survive Alive Program, students:
- Develop critical fire safety awareness and prevention skills.
- Learn life-saving emergency response procedures.
- Gain confidence in responding appropriately during emergencies.
- Understand the importance of preparedness and personal responsibility.
- Share fire safety knowledge with their families and communities.
- Become better equipped to make safe decisions at home and in their neighborhoods.
At Benjamin Franklin School, we believe that safety education is an essential part of student development. The Survive Alive Program provides students with practical, real-world knowledge that can save lives and helps create a safer school, home, and community for everyone.