Springfield Fire Department and Discovery Center to launch interactive fire safety exhibit this fall

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Springfield Fire Department is excited to announce a dynamic partnership with the Discovery Center of Springfield to create an immersive, hands-on fire safety experience for children and families. The new exhibit, dubbed Station 3.14, will serve as a fully interactive fire sub-station located within the Discovery Center.

Scheduled to open by the end of September, just in time for October’s Fire Prevention Month, this engaging new space is designed to enhance the department’s Community Risk Reduction efforts by reaching an estimated 150,000 children annually. Through playful exploration and educational interaction, Station 3.14 will help instill life-saving knowledge and fire prevention habits in young minds.

Featured interactive experiences at Station 3.14 include:

• 911 Call Simulator
  Children can practice dialing 911 and speaking to a simulated dispatcher to learn how to report emergencies confidently and correctly.
• Hands-Only CPR Station
  A quick and empowering training station where visitors learn how to perform hands-only CPR, equipping them with skills that can save lives.
• Fire Hose Target Practice
  A mock fire hose game where kids extinguish targets, improving coordination while learning about fire suppression.
• Fire Safety Hazard House
  A miniature home where kids identify common fire hazards like overloaded outlets or unattended candles, using buttons to highlight safe and unsafe conditions.
• Dress Like a Firefighter Station
  A dress-up area featuring child-sized firefighter gear, allowing children to suit up and experience the role of a firefighter.
• Firefighter Tools Match-Up
  An engaging game where kids match tools with their correct uses, providing insight into the essential gear firefighters use every day.
• Build an Escape Plan Wall
  A magnetic wall display where kids create a fire escape plan using room and exit magnets. Families are encouraged to take photos to replicate plans at home.
• Check the Door Display
  A tactile, interactive exhibit using heated doorknobs to teach children how to safely check a door during a fire – reinforcing the “feel with the back of your hand” rule.

“This project is still in the planning stages, but we’re working hard to bring it to life by the end of September,” said Tyler Moles, CEO of the Discovery Center. “We’re proud to partner with the Springfield Fire Department to make learning about fire safety fun and unforgettable for every child who walks through our doors.”

The Fire Department and Discovery Center invite the community to stay tuned for updates and join them in celebrating the grand opening of Station 3.14 this fall – a groundbreaking step in building a safer Springfield through education and engagement.

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For requests for media interviews related to Station 3.14, please contact Tyler Moles, 417-379-00461 or [email protected] or Olan Morelan, Assistant Fire Chief, at 417-874-2330 or [email protected].