The Kid's Firehouse Museum opened in 1994 with the goal of teaching young children the basics of fire safety and prevention in an age-appropriate and fun setting. Children from elementary schools, preschools, day care centers, mom's groups, home-schoolers and summer camps are regular visitors to the Museum.
The Museum is nestled on almost one acre of land in mid-Pinellas County. Its unique charm offers children and adults1 an historical look at firefighting. The 9000 square foot Museum displays eleven mostly-operational, antique fire trucks/engines ranging in year from 1924-1961, thousands of pieces of firefighting memorabilia from all over the world and wall after wall of cartoons picturing fire safety tips that even the youngest of visitors can understand.
The Museum has gone from offering one tour per week during the summer months only, to scheduling one to two tours daily, year round. The Museum now welcomes an average of 10,000 visitors a year. Close to 100,000 children and adults have visited the Museum FREE OF CHARGE! Visiting groups are given a 30 minute guided tour2. Tour participants also have an opportunity to sit behind the wheel of a 100-foot antique hook-and-ladder fire engine, view a 30 minute fire safety video3 and learn and practice STOP, DROP AND ROLL. All groups and individuals are also invited to enjoy the Museum's shaded playground, covered patio and picnic areas.
In addition to conducting tours for our children, The kid's Firehouse Museum has been offering tours for Senior Citizens. We feel this is important as our Senior Citizens have the highest rate of fire fatalities in the nation. Along with learning the basics of fire safety, the Seniors enjoy the trip down memory lane when viewing the antique fire engines and memorabilia. These tours seem to be very much enjoyed by our Senior Citizens and are becoming very popular in our community.
The Museum is currently developing a "911 Tribute" in honor of our fallen heroes from that tragic day in 2001. The tribute will include a fire truck, mural of New York's Twin Towers and memorabilia all related to "911".
"FIRE SAFETY SAVES LIVES"
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1 The Museum also offers fire safety tours for our senior citizens.
2 Tours are scheduled for groups of a minimum of 10 children. Walk-in visitors are welcomed but encouraged to participate in a scheduled tour.
3 The museum offers seven different fire safety videos for groups to choose from.