“Playing with Fire!” course combined classroom instruction with live extinguisher training, and organizers say strong turnout and positive feedback point toward future offerings.
RENTON, Wash. [08/31/26] — Renton Regional Fire Authority (Renton Fire) recently partnered with the City of Renton to host “Playing with Fire!,” a free community course that paired classroom fire-science instruction with hands-on fire extinguisher training. The event drew over 30 participants from across the community, reflecting strong public interest in practical, take-home fire safety skills.
The class was open to community members age 16 and older. The course attracted a broad cross-section of Renton-area residents, underscoring the community’s appetite for accessible, practical safety education.
Classroom Instruction Grounded in Fire Science
The educational portion consisted of a 90-minute presentation developed specifically for the course, covering the fundamentals of fire science, home fire prevention, and small-fire suppression. Participants learned basic fire behavior concepts, common household fire hazards, prevention strategies for the home, and the key considerations for determining when a small fire can be safely extinguished versus when to evacuate and call 911.
Hands-On Training at Renton Fire Station 14 Drill Grounds
Following the presentation, participants moved to the drill grounds at Fire Station 14 to apply what they had learned. Each participant had the opportunity to operate a multipurpose dry-chemical fire extinguisher on a controlled, live fire under the supervision of Renton Fire personnel. The exercise gave participants direct, practical experience with extinguisher operation in a safe and controlled environment — a skill many had never practiced before.
A Collaborative Public Safety Effort
“Playing with Fire!” was conducted as part of the City of Renton’s broader public safety education efforts. The course originated from a request by the City of Renton’s Emergency Management division, who coordinated the effort with Renton Fire. The resulting course represents a collaborative effort to make practical fire safety education more accessible to residents.
Strong Interest in Future Classes
Post-course surveys showed favorable feedback from participants, and Renton Fire instructors have expressed strong support for offering the class again. Organizers say the turnout and positive response indicate significant community demand for hands-on fire safety programming. Follow Renton Regional Fire Authority on Facebook (@rentonrfa) for future safety education opportunities.
